I chugged another warm beer and stared at the tv screen. I was turning a small plastic bag over and over in my fingers, contemplating. The green contents were so horribly inviting. I glanced over at the coffee table. I had crack, heroin, and LSD as well as weed. I reached out for my lighter and my cellphone rang.

I picked it up and blinked the fuzzy number into focus. I didn't know it.
I clicked answer and held it up to my ear. “Hello, Gerard. Glad to see you listened.”
I nearly hung up on Chris, my fingers shaking as I tossed the bag of weed aside. “What the fuck do you want?”
He chuckled. “I just thought I'd let you know that your little boy toy is pregnant. Which, as you can guess, means he's no longer useful to me.”
I sat bolt upright. “Where is he?”
I could almost feel Chris grinning. “I have no idea. My men kicked him out last night.”
My heart almost stopped. It had been below freezing overnight, and cold even in the motel room. I hung up and quickly called Angelo, starting to put my shoes on as his phone rang. He answered just before it stopped.
“Hey, Gee. What's up?”
I cleared my throat, trying to wrestle my emotions back under control. “Frank's in trouble. Chris took him back from me almost a month ago, and he kicked him out last night. He's...he's pregnant, Ange.”
There was a short pause and Angelo took a deep breath. “Is it yours?”
“I don't know. Does it matter?”
He chuckled and sighed. “I guess not. Meet me at the coffee shop a couple blocks from the bar and we’ll figure something out. I'm sure he hasn't gone far.”
“Thanks.”

I hung up and tugged my coat on, opening the front door. I paused and hurried back to the bed, yanking the blanket off it. I bundled it into the backseat of the car and drove off quickly, shaking.
Angelo hugged me, rubbing my back slowly. “We’re gonna find him, Gee. Don't worry.”
I nodded slightly and shivered. “How are we gonna do this?”
He glanced around. “I'll take the bar and go south, you go north from here. Go up for an hour and then we’ll meet back up and start checking again. Spread out from the main track, too. Check alleys, bridges, motels. Anywhere he could be holed up.”
I nodded and checked my watch before turning and running off.

---

Angelo called me about forty minutes later. I picked up immediately, sitting on the nearest bench.
“What's up?”
“I found him,” Angelo said quietly, sighing. “He's passed out right now and I can't carry him back to my car. He looks okay, he's breathing and everything, but he's a bit bashed up. Do you wanna head back to your car and drive down here to pick him up?”
“Yes,” I answered shortly, jumping up.
“Okay. I'm on fourteenth, near Pine. Alley next to the Luigi Pasta place.”

---

I leapt out of the car, hitting the ground running. I skidded around the corner and froze. Frank was sprawled out in the middle of the alley, Angelo leaning over him. I bolted, falling to my knees next to Frank and quickly gathering him up in my arms. Angelo tutted. “Be careful, Gee.”
I buried my face in Frank's neck, stroking his hair desperately. “Oh my god,” I mumbled over and over, trembling as I held him.

---

Angelo brought me a cup of coffee, smiling sadly. “Here ya go. I'll go find my first aid kit.”
I nodded and set the mug aside, pulling the blanket away from Frank's tiny body. There were new cuts and welts all over him, and crusted blood on his clothes. I sniffed and leaned over, kissing his forehead. Angelo slipped back in, setting down a basin of warm water and a rag, as well as his first aid kit. He left me to it, and I sat quietly, washing Frank off as gently and carefully as I could. I had just finished tugging his clean clothes on when he started to stir, whimpering softly. I kissed his cheek and grabbed at his hand, tensing up.
“Frankie?”
His eyes popped open and he gasped. “Gee!”
I laid down next to him quickly, opening my arms.
“Holy fuck,” he whined as he curled up against my chest, clinging to me. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
I nuzzled his jaw, purring softly. “I'd never ever let you go that easily,” I murmured, smiling as he buried his face in my shoulder. “Chris called me this morning and I was honestly so happy.”
Frank shifted, pulling away. He rubbed his neck with both hands, sighing. “I'm so sorry about the baby, I-”
“Is it mine?”
He froze and took a deep breath. “I'm like 90 percent sure it is. But I can go to a doctor and they’ll tell me how far along I am, like more accurately, and that'll help me tell.”
I nodded and stroked his cheek slowly. “If it's ours...or not ours...I wanna do what you wanna do.”
Frank giggled and blushed, kissing me softly. “You're the best.”
I kissed back deeply, purring as I rolled him onto his back.

Notes