The Light Behind His Eyes

I woke up feeling worse than the night before I went to bed. Right when my eyes opened, my nose started running, the temperature in my room was so damn cold, and my sneezing was one after another. I felt like complete shit. Frankie walked in with a bowl, "Morning, sneezy." He smiled, "I got you some delicious breakfast soup." He set the bowl beside the bed on the small table by the box of tissues. He sat on the edge of the bed, "Damn you look like complete shit."
I sat up as best as I could, "Thanks." I chuckled. My nose was clogged, so everything I said was muffled to Frank. He smiled a bit, "Do you need anything else?"
I shook my head, "No, it's fine...thanks for taking care of me."
Frank smiled, "Anything. So, I guess we have to close up the bookstore today..." He looked down, "It's a shame. People in town were just starting to love its new features..." I knew what he wanted. He wanted to run the store on his own, since I was sick. I wasn't sure though. All by himself? I love that bookstore, and I loved him, but that bookstore was my dream. Ah, but I trusted Frank, though I still have doubts about leaving him by himself. What if he got robbed? Aha, what was I afraid of? If he can kick Stephan's ass, he can kick anyone's ass.
I sneezed. I wiped my nose with a tissue before saying, "Alright, you can run the store-but just for today. I plan on taking pills to get me up on my feet by tomorrow."
Frank jumped off the bed, "Yes!" He cheered. He smiled, "I plan on keeping the store open till 7-is that okay?"
"Well," I scratched the back of my head, "We usually close by 5, but if you want too-"
"Thanks, Gee!" I felt his lips touch my forehead. he asked before grabbing his jacket, "Are you sure you can manage on your own from here?"
I smiled, "Yeah, I'm fine."
and from there, he gave me one big grin before leaving out the door. I did the usual. Sneezing, coughing, wiping my runny nose, and eating the delicious soup Frankie made. I knew it was just soup from a can heated up by a microwave, but it's the thought that counts. I knew it was time to get my ass up and head over to the drug store to swallow down some pills.
I took my pills.
I went back home.
And slept for three hours.
....I thought when my phone rang, it was just going to be Frankie checking up on me....I was smiling when I grabbed my phone and answered it...I just couldn't believe the panic at the other end. It surprised me, a lot. Frank was screaming on the other end, telling me to get my ass over there. My heart was pounding against my chest, everything seemed so rushed when I grabbed my jacket and put on my shoes. I was practically running outside-then I can see it. Smoke. Heavy, dark smoke in the sky. Horrible thoughts were crossing my mind as I ran towards my car and pulled out the extra key I hid under the hood. I knew it was only about ten minutes away, but with the car I can get there in about two minutes. I slammed my foot against the peddle, driving the car furiously to the bookstore...my eyes already met the bright orange and red fire blazing out of the windows. The sheriff stopped my car but I got out and ran past the yellow tape that divided people from the flaming bookstore. A hand pulled me back, "You can't go in there!" A firefighter screamed, pulling me behind the tape.
"My bookstore..." Was I could say.
The firefighters were slowly putting out the fire as I stared in shock. Frankie's voice rang in my ear, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" But my mind was focused on the flames that was burning the books, the tables, my dream.
Frankie cried, "Gerard, I'm sorry-"
I spun around and shouted, "What happened, Frank?"
He replied, his voice weak, "The heater...it was cold so I turned it on...it was making funny noises but I thought nothing of it...Gerard, I'm sorry!"
I turned my attention back to my bookstore, "No, this can't be happening...not like this." I turned back to Frank, "Why did you let this happen? I gave you the store for one day!" The fire seemed to glow brighter in the night, chilling me to the bone, "Does it really take you one fucking day to ruin everything?"
Frank frowned, "Gerard..."
I screamed, "I can't believe it! I should have just said no! I would've actually done something about the heater, I would've had it fixed as soon as I heard those noises-you ignored the noises? Really, Frank? You couldn't have fucking got someone to check it?" I yelled, "You're a fucking idiot, Frank! You're a damn fucking idiot who ruins everything-!"
My cheek stung, my head was tossed to the side...Frank had slapped me. Not punch me like he did to Stephan. He slapped me...looking back it now, I deserved it. Frank didn't say anything after his action. He simply spat at my face and walked off.
People around me stared. Their eyes were only on me. Jack and Alex were staring. Lindsey was staring. Shit, even some of the firefighters were staring. They'd been staring the entire time.

Notes