Cry Baby (Frerard)

The next day at school rolled around, and still no sign of Jamia. Frank was genuinely starting to get worried. He felt half-tempted to stop by her house and ask her parents if she’s alright, but doing that would be suicide; Jamia’s parents hated his guts for shallow reasons Frank couldn’t fathom. He guessed they never imagined their daughter with straight A’s to date a punk kid with a below average GPA and an addiction to nicotine. He could ask one of her friends if they knew anything, but none of them would even come within a hundred feet from him. They were all unfortunately just as shallow and pompous as her parents. Typical rich preps. It was all eating at Frank knowing that his girlfriend may or may not be in trouble. He just couldn’t get it off his mind for the life of him.
As Frank sat in English class, he looked outside the window, noticing the abnormally nice weather for the middle of November. When he was outside he didn’t even need to wear his jacket because it was so nice and warm out. Frank was never much of an outdoor person, but he had to admit he could use some fresh air when he gets home from school…
Frank’s eyes widened when an idea came to his head; one that was so good he might as well had a giant light bulb float over his head light up, making a ding sound. He wondered when it was the last time Gerard got some fresh air outside. He never spent any time with him outside, even though he hasn’t been working with Gerard for that long. It shouldn’t hurt for Gerard to get outside and not always be cooped up in the house, he thought. It would be good for him. They could go to West Hudson Park, and Frank could let Gerard play on the playground. He knew he would love that. Just for the hell of it, he could also take Gerard out to dinner. Spending the day with Gerard outside would not only help him get some fresh air, but it would also familiarize him with the outside world he’s been sheltered from for so long. Frank smiled, already looking forward to his day with Gerard he’s about to have.

_ _ _
“Frank, I’ve got some news for you,” Ray said as he and Frank got changed into their gym uniforms in the locker room. There wasn’t something quite right about Ray when Frank got a good look at him at attendance. Ray was a man that was all smiles and laughs, even on his bad days. Not today, though. It’s like something was on his mind. He just hoped it had nothing to do about the bad news he has yet to deliver to Frank.
“What is it?” Frank asked.
“Frank...you’re not gonna be happy to hear this...like, at all,”
Fuck, he thought. It does have something to do with the bad news.
“What?”
“Frank...I saw something when I was at work the other day...or rather, someone. I saw Jamia,”
“Wh-who?” Frank stuttered, feeling his heart stop. That was strange, he thought. What the hell was Jamia doing at a comic book store? She doesn’t read comics, she reads smutty romance novels. “You saw Jamia? What was she doing? I haven’t heard from her in days!”
“Well, she wasn’t in the store. She was outside of it...with someone else,”
“Wh-what?” Frank nearly shouted. Now he was really starting to panic. All this time Frank hasn’t heard from her, she’s been fooling around with somebody else? It better not be another man, he said to himself. “Who was it?”
“Frank...do you really wanna know?” Ray sighed. “I’m warning you, you’re not gonna be happy--”
“Just fucking tell me, Ray!” Frank snapped. “Who the fuck was Jamia with?”
“She was with...Bert. They were hugging...and kissing…,”
It was at that moment Frank felt his whole world around him go gray, feeling his insides turn to jelly. Out of all the people in this fucking school, Jamia was out messing around with Bert Mc-fucking-Cracken, the number one guy on his shit list, the asshole who bullied him since freshman year. Frank cursed his name in his head, as well as all the times Bert shoved him into lockers and tripped him in the hallways, on top of so many other horrible things he’s done to him. He also cursed Jamia’s name in his head for betraying him the way she did, and not say a word to him about it. Fucking her didn’t feel the same as it used to, but that wasn’t the reason why he loved her. She took the relationship they’ve shared for a whole year and shattered it to pieces. Heartbroken, Frank bent his head down, hiding his teary eyes from a concerned Ray.
“You gonna be okay, Frank?” Ray asked.
“What does it fucking look like?” Frank hissed. “She fucking cheated on me! Not only that, but with Bert, the scumbag that’s bullied me since I first came to this shithole of a school! I’m not okay, Ray...I promise!”
Frank tore off his gym uniform and went right back into his Metallica t-shirt and jeans. He’s way too upset to play volleyball in gym class. He’ll take a no-dress, sitting up in the bleachers as he cries his eyes out, wanting to just put a bullet to his head and end it all. The one girl that’s made him the happiest he’s ever been has shattered his heart…
No. He needs proof. He knew Ray never really cared for Jamia. He’s gotta be fucking with him. This can’t be real. Frank dashed outta the locker room and down the hall, running to Jamia’s locker. There’s gotta be some kind of evidence. This wasn’t real. He’s gotta be in some kind of fucked up nightmare, right? Frank put in Jamia’s locker combination he’s watched her put in so many times, opening up the door. He rummaged through textbooks and folders, looking for something, anything to prove that Ray is telling the truth. Something fell on the floor--a stack of photographs held together by a rubber band. Frank picked them up, feeling himself on the verge of throwing up when he looked at the first photo--Jamia and Bert together kissing as they held each other. Ray was right after all. Why would he lie to him, anyway? Ray was just not that kind of person. He was very honest and straightforward, and always told the truth whether the people around him liked it or not. Frank dropped the photos, falling to his knees and weeping in his hands, wanting to curl up into a ball and disappear forever.

_ _ _
Frank really didn’t feel like watching after Gerard today; not after what Jamia did to him. He had to, though. He knew that Gerard couldn’t take care of himself, and Donna would be disappointed in him if he never showed up. As Frank packed his bag, his hand suddenly touched the corset he bought for Gerard. He smiled, remembering that there’s another good night waiting for him. He got to his car, drove to the Way’s house, and knocked on the front door.
“Come in, door’s unlocked,” Donna called from beyond the door. Frank stepped inside and walked to the living room, where he found Gerard watching an episode of Barney the Dinosaur on the t.v. He turned around and smiled when he saw Frank, running up to him and hugging him.
“H-hi, F-frankie!” he said, a string of drool running from his mouth and onto Frank’s shirt, which didn’t bother him at all.
“Hey, buddy. How are you?”
“I’m g-good. Y-you?”
“Eh...been better,”
“What’s wrong, hun?” Donna asked, smoking her cigarette as she sat on the couch.
“Long story short…,” Frank sighed deeply, knowing that his days of seeing Jamia are over. He never made it official that they’re no longer together, but next time he sees her, he knew damn sure he’d tell her. “Me and my girlfriend aren’t dating anymore,”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, hun!” Donna frowned. “What happened?”
“Well...I found out that she’s been seeing another guy,”
“Really? Forget her, Frank. She wasn’t the one for you. I can’t see how any girl could be stupid enough to do that to someone like you. You’re a good person. You deserve better,”
“Yeah...I guess you’re right,” Frank shrugged. He suddenly remembered what he wanted to do with Gerard today, and it made him smile at the thought of it. “Hey Donna, I got a real good idea of what me and Gerard can do, since the weather is nice,”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve been thinking it would be a good idea to take Gerard to West Hudson Park so he could get some fresh air, then I can take him out to dinner somewhere,”
“That’s a great idea, Frank,” Donna smiled. “It’s been awhile since Gerard’s been able to play outside since it’s been too cold lately. It’ll be good for him. Just be sure to not let him wander off. Keep him close to you,”
“I know,”
“You hear that, Ger-bear? You and Frank are gonna go to the park today!”
“Y-yay!” Gerard exclaimed, hugging Frank tighter. “M-me like th-the p-park!”
“Well listen, I gotta go,” Donna said, putting out her cigarette and gathering her things. “I’ll call you later, alright?”
“Got it. I’ll be sure to keep this little rascal right here safe,” Frank laughed, motioning to Gerard, who stood there still hugging him.
“Okay. See you later,” Donna replied, walking out the front door to her car. Gerard looked up at Frank.
“Wh-what were y-you s-sad about, F-frankie?” he asked.
“Oh, uhh…,” Frank stuttered, stunned that Gerard was listening to Frank when he was talking to Donna. He’s really not as absent-minded as he looks, Frank thought to himself. He didn’t know how to tell Gerard in simple words what happened between him and his now ex-girlfriend. Because of Gerard’s simple-minded nature, he figured he wouldn’t understand what cheating is. “Well, you see...I was dating this girl, and...let’s just say that we got into a fight, and we’re not seeing each other anymore,”
“Oh...I-I’m s-sorry, F-frankie,” Gerard said, looking genuinely devastated by Frank’s bad news.
“It’s okay, sugar. Not your fault,”
“Y-you need m-more hugs!” Gerard smiled, hugging Frank even tighter than before. Frank smiled, feeling the sting of tears in his eyes. He really doesn’t regret coming to work today.
“Thank you, Gee...that’s very kind of you,”
“C-can I b-be your g-girlfriend?” Gerard asked, his eyes lighting up.
“Well, you’re a boy...so technically you’d be my boyfriend,” Frank laughed. “But yes...you can be my boyfriend, Gee,”
“B-but F-frankie...d-don’t only b-boys and g-girls date?”
“Well, no. Two boys or two girls can date and love each other. There’s nothing wrong with it. It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl. You can love whoever you want. Love is love, Gee,”
“Oh...okay! S-so can I-I be y-your b-boyfriend, F-frankie?”
“Yes, Gee. You can,” Frank patted Gerard’s head.
“Y-yay!” Gerard hollered. “C-can we g-go to the p-park, F-frankie? M-me wanna g-go on th-the s-swings!”
“Yes, we can. We just gotta get your coat on, okay? The wind is starting to pick up,” Frank said, remembering how chilly it quickly became when he got home from school.
“Okay!” Gerard said, running to the closet and pulling out a black coat, along with a black and gray striped scarf. “C-can I w-wear my s-scarf?”
“Of course, Gee. Come on, let’s put your coat on and go to the car,” Frank said as he helped put Gerard’s coat on him, wrapping his scarf around his neck. He couldn’t help but smile at how adorable he looked, seeing Gerard smile a cheeky grin. “Damn, Gee. You are one cute boyfriend,”
“Am I-I c-cute?” Gerard asked, pointing to himself as they walked outside to the car.
“Yes, Gee. A little cutie-patootie is what you are,”
“C-cuite-p-patootie?”
“Yes, Gee. Cutie-patootie. Come on, get in the car,” Frank said, opening up the car door for Gerard. He stepped in and sat down, and Frank buckled him up. Frank then got into the car and started up the engine. He looked through his c.d holder above his seat, wondering what to play. He remembered Gerard’s rock band posters he saw in his bedroom and smiled, pulling out one of his Misfits c.d’s and putting it in the player, with “20 Eyes” playing from it. He saw Gerard dance in his seat and smiled.
“M-me like th-this band!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands as he danced.
“Me too. The Misfits are awesome,” Frank replied as he pulled out of the driveway and out on the road. It took about ten minutes for them to get to West Hudson Park, with young children on the playground and parents watching. Frank got out of the car and helped Gerard out, holding his hand as they walked to the playground.
“M-me wanna g-go on s-swings!” Gerard said as he pointed to the swingset in front of him, jumping with joy. “C-can I g-go on s-swings?”
“Of course, Gee,” Frank said, helping Gerard to one of the empty swing seats. Gerard sat down, and Frank began to push him as Gerard swung back and forth.
“H-higher, F-frankie!”
“Okay,” Frank replied as he pushed Gerard higher. He looked over and saw a few kids and parents staring at them. They knew something’s wrong with Gerard, Frank thought. He just hoped no one would laugh at Gerard or say unpleasant things about him behind his back. He was gonna protect Gerard, and Frank was gonna confront anyone that had a problem with him.

_ _ _
Frank sat on one of the benches as he watched Gerard play on the playground with the other kids, laughing and smiling with them. He had to admit that he was starting to get a little wiped out playing with Gerard, so he decided to just watch him play with the other children. He knew he was be recharged and ready when he was gonna play his version of “games” with Gerard later when they return home. Just thinking about it made Frank smile. As Gerard came down from one of the slides, a little girl that looked no older than six walked up to him, waving. Gerard smiled, waving back at her.
“What’s your name, big man?” the girl asked.
“I-I’m Gee-rard! Wh-what’s yours?”
“I’m Bandit. I’m six. How old are you?”
“M-me f-four!” Gerard exclaimed, holding up the correct number of fingers in front of Bandit. At least Gerard knew how to count...but if only he knew his real age, Frank thought to himself.
“You look big for a four year old,” Bandit said, eyeing Gerard skeptically. “That’s okay. You wanna play tag?”
“Okay!” Gerard said.
“You’re it!” Bandit yelled, tapping Gerard with her hand and running off. “Catch me if you can!”
Gerard laughed as he chased the little girl, with some other kids and parents still staring at the manchild skeptically. It was an odd sight for them to see someone who looked to be high school age playing tag with an actual young child. Frank just hoped no one was speaking or thinking ill of him. If anyone had a problem with Gerard, they should just say it to Frank’s face, he thought. Gerard can’t fight his own fights, so Frank was gonna do them for him.
“Excuse me,” a young woman said, walking up to Frank and sitting down next to him. “Is that your brother over there?” she asked, pointing to Gerard, still playing with Bandit.
“Uhh, no. I’m his babysitter. I watch after him for his mom,”
“I see. May I ask what’s wrong with him, if you don’t mind? Is he autistic?”
“No,” Frank shook his head, staying wary of the woman’s skepticisms about Gerard. She didn’t seem to ask Frank about Gerard under malicious intentions; she looked just curious. “He, ahh...he got into a bad car accident, and it caused a lot of damage to his brain. He was in a coma for awhile, and he woke up with the mind of a child. He had to be re-taught everything, like walking and talking,”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” the woman said. “He seems like a real sweetheart. Him and my son were playing earlier, and he kept telling me how nice he was,”
“I know, he is nice,” Frank smiled a bit.
“Here,” the woman replied as she pulled out a card from her purse, handing it to Frank. “My son has autism, but his doctor also works with kids with traumatic brain injuries. I’m sure he’ll be able to help. Give this card to your kid’s mom. He’s fantastic,”
“Oh, uh...thanks,” Frank said, reluctantly taking the card. The woman walked off, smiling. Frank shrugged, looking at the card. As he did, he heard someone scream. He looked up and saw Gerard on the ground, crying and holding his knee. Frank jolted to his feet and ran to him.
“Gee, are you okay?” he asked.
“M-me hurt! M-me f-fell and g-got a boo-boo!” Gerard whined as he held onto his wounded knee under his jeans.
“Aww, it’s alright,” Frank cooed. “Want me to kiss it better?”
“C-can you, p-please?”
“Of course, Gee,” Frank smiled, leaving a small kiss on Gerard’s bruised knee as he pulled up the pant of his jeans. “I think that’s enough playtime. Come on, let’s go get some dinner,”
“Okay!” Gerard said, getting up to his feet and following Frank to the car.

Notes