My working day went by normally and normality never felt so good. I happily fulfilled my duties, avoiding Brad and other coworkers' weird looks. That fucker had possibly been gossiping around. It enraged me, but I wouldn't summon forth problems. I wasn't there to make friends, after all. I had my good ones.
******
The sight that awaited me when I left the store made me laugh, and not because it was funny. It was beautiful, one of those moments when you'd laugh out of happiness. At the door stood Anthony, Greg, and in between them Frankie. He was sitting on a purple, medium-sized bicycle wearing a matching helmet; the ones that only cover the head and are fastened under the chin with a strap. The bike had two little wheels attached to the regular rear one's axle. Frank's face was luminous. There seemed to be light coming off him.
"H-hello! L-like it?" he smiled with all his teeth.
"I love it!" I pecked his lips. "And you look very very handsome...and cute!"
"He didn't want to wear the helmet, but I told him it was the condition to have the gift. The bike's considerably bigger than the ones for little kids, so I'm afraid it could get knocked over even with the extra wheels. Just in case I prefer his head to be shielded." Tony expressed. "Oh, and I hope you don't mind that I went ahead and bought it. We don't have any shows to play until the weekend, and when you told me things were back to normal I had a sudden need to buy the bike today. Ray said I looked as excited as Frankie...or more."
"No problem! And I agree with Ray, you're like...talking non-stop!"
"You should have heard him when we went to buy it." Greg mocked him, proceeding to imitate his boyfriend's monologue about what color, size and model they should get.
"Oh stop it, I'm just happy! Wasn't it worth it?"
"Totally worth it! Look at this face..." I pinched Frank's cheeks, making him complain and giggle at the same time.
Anthony and I wanted to get Frankie a bike for his birthday, but we didn't have enough money back then; so we had decided to wait some more weeks. Tony knew about Frank's nightmares and that he had realised it was all real and part of his past. I guessed he correctly thought that buying the bicycle now would help distract his son. I only regretted not having been there to see Frankie's face when he first saw it.
"G-gee, we have to g-go to the p-park! D-dad called Mel's dad so sh-she'll take her b-bike too! M-maybe she can t-teach me how to r-ride it without the l-little wheels?"
"Frankie," Greg spoke. "we told you it's not safe for you..."
"B-but I want to so I c-can go faster!"
"Maybe in the future. For the time being you better ride it like this 'cause I don't want you getting hurt, okay?" I said. I imagined that our overprotectiveness must annoy him, but we couldn't help it. Frank had enough to deal with and we wanted to spare him any other complication. Besides, I didn't think he'd be able to control a bike; and trying might result in him falling over and over and getting frustrated. He could also break his glasses and cut himself with them. There was a lot to consider.
"K-kay, you're all s-so boooring." he protested, hitting the vehicle's red horn and pedaling away. "M-move, turtles!"
At the park, we sat on a bench with Mel's father -Henry- while the two kids rode their bikes around the path that surrounded the playground. The girl was an expert, even though the red bike she sported was bigger than her. Nevertheless she refrained from accelerating so she and Frank would go side by side. Frankie had wanted to try Mel's bicycle, but the child cut him off with a very firm: 'No, you'd fall. You're my friend and I like you better in one piece. You have yours.' Frank didn't insist.
Mel was pretty mature for her age, which I thought was the reason why she and Frankie got along so well. It was like their mentalities met somewhere in between their chronological ages. She was very protective of Frankie and would not doubt to confront anyone who dare make fun of him. No matter the age or size.
"Dad!" Mel addressed the man as she and Frank stopped to drink some soda. "You know? Frankie has a crush on the same actors as me!"
"Oh, now you'll have more to buzz about, then! I'm surprised it took you so long to touch that subject, you're always talking about handsome actors at home." Henry joked. Frank had told his friend that he liked boys soon after they met. She'd taken it with total naturalness and casually commented it with her dad who luckily, did not mind. What's more, something told me that the fact had helped put his mind at ease about his daughter's peculiar new friend. It was understandable that he would worry about the age difference. Even if childish, Frank was a teenager -and a boy- while Mel was only a ten-year old girl. Knowing that he was gay somehow left Henry with one less worry. Of course, they didn't know that I was Frank's boyfriend. Not to risk their friendship, we'd told them I was his uncle and as far as I knew, Frankie hadn't disclosed the truth. They did know about Anthony and Greg, though.
"Not true!" Mel argued. Her expression was so funny that Frankie spat the Sprite he was drinking. "I don't talk much about boys at all!"
"You do..." her dad singsonged.
"Don't be ashamed, Mel." Greg chuckled. "Frankie does the same. He also cuts pictures out of magazines and makes collages."
"Sh-shut up, n-no!" Frank blushed, casting his dirty hand over Greg's mouth.
"It's true..." I added.
"C-come on, Mel." he tugged at her sleeve. "W-we better go r-ride our bikes 'cause...th-they're all a-assholes."
"You're sooo right!" they parted indignant and the four of us released our laughter.
"Oh, Gerard..." Anthony caught my attention. "...with all the trouble lately I forgot to tell you: I couldn't find any school for Frankie. I called a lot, but as I feared there are no vacancies in public schools until next year. Private ones are out of the question...at least for now. Who knows, maybe that will change soon..."
"Oh, damn. I really hope so..." I trailed off. We could always enrol Frankie early the following year, but he was very eager to start as soon as possible.
"My daughter told me that Frankie was gonna go to a special school." Mel's father participated. "I know how hard it can be to find a school once the term has already started. Mel lost a year because of that when my wife died and we had to move here. It must be even harder with special schools, since there aren't many to start with."
"Yeah, that's the thing, and I've been looking for something nearby so Frankie doesn't have to travel much. He doesn't want to be out of home for long." Anthony assented.
"Well, I understand, time with the family is always important for kids and they need it more than they need school."
"Exactly. And let's be honest, Tony: we don't want Frankie out of home for long either! We'd miss him too much..." I tried to hide the tone I knew my voice acquired when I'd talk about him; thinking of how I loved having him with me all the time and how I would miss him if he had to be out for longer than my working hours.
******
We stayed in the park until night was near and the temperature began to decrease. Frankie had only fallen down once -when trying to force the bike to go faster- without any consequence other than a scraped elbow. He didn't mind.
After a while he said he'd grown too tired, so he and Mel came sit with us to talk. Frank was sweaty and fatigued and it took him a couple of minutes to regain his breath, but he seemed to be perfectly fine; content with this new experience of having a life that got closer and closer to normal every day.
That afternoon would have been perfect if we'd not had to hide anything. Still, it had been great. I knew that I would always have to make some concessions. Both of us, even if Frankie was also dying to scream our love to the wind. We could never know how people would react and I didn't want Frankie to be deprived of anything he liked because of it.
The parting was long. Every time we were about to leave, Frankie and Mel had something else to say. Frank told her that he couldn't go to the park every day because he had things to do like practicing for school, so he'd be there in maybe three days. In reality I knew -and his wink at me was further evidence- that by 'things to do' he meant that he wanted us to spend that time together. Alone. Not even the excitement for his new bike could top that. I felt tears gathering, applying pressure to my lacrimals, making my eyes sting. I had to turn my back on them.
******
Back at home Frank was so deadbeat that a lot of insistence -plus me promising to do all the job- had to be put into use to get him to shower. Any other day I would have allowed him to skip the bath, but this time he was undeniably dirty and smelly. Once done he dragged his feet to the room, planked himself into the bed and asked me to wake him up for dinner.
I had finished putting my pajamas on and was going to the kitchen to cook when the phone rang. I ran to get it before Frankie heard and bitched at the mean person not letting him sleep.
"Hello?" I whispered. I could hear water falling on the other side of the line.
"Gerard...it's Greg. Look, I don't have much time. Anthony doesn't know I'm calling, I'm supposed to be taking a shower..."
"What...?"
"First: the police called Tony's cell before we got home. They tracked Linda's call to a hotel in a town not too far away from here. They were not there, but their stuff still is -including fake IDs- so the cops have the place surrounded together with any possible escape route out of the city."
"Oh, wow! Those are rather good news..." I noted, feeling the end to our troubles get closer. "Why didn't Tony want you to tell me?"
"Something else happened. When we arrived to our apartment someone had slid a note under the door. It was a message from Linda, telling Anthony that she wants to see him tomorrow to try and reach an agreement." he revealed. My heart stopped and I swallowed.
"How can she...?"
"That's not all...Anthony plans to go."
CHAPTER 73
Let's make it all for one and all for love.
Let the one you hold be the one you want,
the one you need.
'Cause when it's all for one it's one for all.
When there's someone that should know
then just let your feelings show,
and make it all for one and all for love.
"What?!" I nearly screamed, slapping my mouth when I remembered that Frankie was sleeping. Was Anthony crazy? He intended to come to terms with that bitch? "Is he serious? He really wants to discuss this with her?"
"Oh no, no...he refused to tell me much about it, but I'm sure he only needs to see her again and demand some explanations. Or maybe he just wants to spit in her face, who knows?"
"But...doesn't he realise it can be dangerous?" I questioned, exasperated.
"I tried...wait..." Greg paused and I heard Anthony's voice asking if he could come in. "Just a minute, love! My mother called when I was about to get in the bathtub, I'll tell you when I'm done talking!"
"He believed you?"
"Yeah, I think so." Greg whispered. "I was telling you...I tried to make him reason, told him it could be a trap, but he's determined to do it. He dropped the subject, said I won't convince him otherwise so I'd better not waste my time."
"Fuck...isn't he even gonna tell the police about it?"
"Not sure. I'll wait until tomorrow when he's more calm -if that's possible- and then suggest it again. If he doesn't want to, I'll call the cops myself somehow and tell them to go a little later than the time Linda chose for the appointment." he said.
"That's a good idea. At what time are they meeting?" I searched around for paper and a pen.
"4:30 p.m. I'm supposed to drive him there and then leave. What are you...?"
"Tell me the address." I cut him off. I was probably having another bad idea, but I felt like I ought to do something. I scrabbled the directions down together with the time and shoved the little piece of paper in my back pocket. Luckily I was acquainted with that neighborhood, since Laura and I used to go shopping there. "Ok, I know the area. You drive Tony and let him think that you're leaving..."
"But...?"
"...but make your way back after a few blocks and park around the corner, close to a small McDonald's." I indicated. "I know you're not familiar with that town, but you'll see it right away. I'll meet you there."
"Gerard, don't get involved, you should stay safe for Frankie."
"I'm already involved...and it's for Frankie that I'm doing this, Greg. He needs his father too, they've lost enough years. So if there's something I can do for Anthony, even if it's just secretly having his back, I will." I explained. "Don't worry, I -we- are not going to do anything too risky, just...be near."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure, please be there and have the police informed." my voice was shaky; I was trying to be brave when in truth, it greatly scared me to think of everything that could go wrong.
"Ok. See you tomorrow, then. And thank you for worrying so much."
"You have nothing to thank me for, we're all in this. See you, Greg."
******
Having too much going on in my head to come up with an elaborate meal, I settled for noodles with butter. Frankie loved it, anyway. Once the water was at the point of boiling, I emptied the contents of a package of penne rigate into the casserole. As I kept a close look on it, stirring the noodles from time to time, I retrieved my cellphone and dialed Bob's number.
"G-man! What are you up to?"
"Hi, Bob. A lot! When are you out of work tomorrow?" I inquired.
"Uh...around 3:30, why? Is it finally the day?"
"What are you talking about?" I got lost, which happened often with him. You never knew whether he was joking or saying something serious that you were meant to grasp the meaning of. "What day?"
"The one when you invite me for an after-work drink?" he was definitely joking, was he?
"Bob...when are you going to understand that..."
"...you don't drink anymore. I got it. It was a joke, Gerard. It kinda amuses me to hear you get all indignant, though I'm actually proud of your will power." he chuckled. If he only knew how unstable my will power could be. "So what is it, then? Any other kind of fun? Want me to babysit?"
"No, no babysitting. Though knowing you, you might have some fun. I need you to come with me somewhere...as a spy."
"A what?" Bob let out sharply. "Way, are you sure you haven't been drinking?"
"I'm positive."
"Who the fuck are we gonna spy on?"
"Anthony...he's going to meet his ex tomorrow at 4:30, she sent him a note. I wanna be around just in case." I exposed. Bob grunted.
"Oh fuck, that man's as nuts as you. What the fuck was he thinking when he accepted that? Why don't you call the police and be over with it?"
"Greg will do that, even if Tony doesn't agree, but I still wanna be there. We wouldn't let them see us, don't worry. I'm just asking you so then you don't come telling me that 'I should have called you instead of going by myself'. Don't feel obliged, though." I knew that by calling Bob and telling him all this I was, in some way, compelling him to join me. He'd feel it like a moral obligation towards his incautious friend. It did nag at my conscience and I realised that I kept dragging the people I loved into my problems and senseless plans. Yet I had this hunch urging me to be there, and I honestly could use some support besides Greg's. Bob had the courage I might be lacking and on the other hand he could help me refrain from doing something too hazardous without lecturing me like Ray would.
"Oh, my." Bob sighed. "Maybe Ray should adopt Frankie, he's the only sane one out of all of us."
"You're implying that you're not sane either..." I remarked, surprised that we had both thought of Ray at the same time.
"Well, I'm complying to your insane ideas, aren't I?"
"Are you?"
"Have any doubt?" I imagined him raising an eyebrow with that resigned expression and grinning right after.
"Thank you. Really, Bob...thank you so much. Everything's going to be alright, we'll just watch them afar."
"You bet. Try getting any closer and I'll knock you out and carry you back home, understood?"
"Yes, my captain! Pick me up at the store at 4. Can you borrow your dad's car? I'm afraid someone who is with Linda might recognize mine. I know, I'm too paranoid but..." I babbled.
"I'll pick you up with my dad's car, rest assured. Good night, Gerard!"
"Good night, Bob. Thanks again and sorry for bother..." my rambling was disrupted by the click. He'd hung up.
I went back to my modest cuisine. I drained the noodles, added the slices of butter and mixed it; in the meantime pushing all troubled thoughts aside. Frank didn't have to notice anything.
******
"Frankie...baby, diner's ready." I breathed into his hair. He shivered, lifted his heavy eyelids and whimpered.
"H-hurtss!"
"Where does it hurt?"
"M-my legs." he groaned. His body wasn't used to exercising and he'd pedaled a lot for his first day.
"I can give you some aspirins..."
"N-NO!" he exclaimed.
"Ok, no need to scream!" I kissed his lips as I saw him blush embarrassed. "I know you're sick and tired of pills, but we all have to take them sometimes."
"S-sorry. I...d-don't want to."
"Fine, but then don't complain about pain!" I told him playfully. "Come on, the food's gonna go cold."
"T-take me? H-hurts..." his lower lip was sticking out and his eyes were big, shiny and begging. How could I say 'no' when I had been the one who spoiled him?
"You know what to do, love." I bent down and waited for him to throw his arms around my neck. I grabbed him under the knees and lifted him, my other hand supporting his ass.
Once sitting on his chair he inspected the casserole and smiled, then kept looking around the table and towards the stove.
"J-just noodles?"
"Yes...I made enough. What else would you like?" I handed him his dish.
"D-dunno...meat or s-something? P-please?"
"Uh..." I would normally not give in to that kind of petition. This day, however, I considered Frankie had burnt a lot of calories and deserved a treat. Or maybe I just wanted to avoid any little quarrel for the night. "...I'll make you a pre-cooked burger but you eat it on your plate, no bread."
"Wh-why no bread, m-meany?"
"Because that would be too much. No bread or no hamburger?" I presented the options.
"K-kay, no bread but...ch-cheese on it?" he pleaded, swallowing a mouthful of noodles.
"Okay, okay!"
"Th-thank you! L-love you, you kn-know?" he startled me with a grateful lip-lock and a tender embrace. Some say you can win people's heart through food -though they mean actual good cooking. I didn't have to win Frank's, since it was already mine; but it surely got me some additional coddling.
The night was cold, my nerves were killing me. Nevertheless, I didn't feel like drinking or even smoking. All I needed this time was Frankie.
******
Telling Ray about my plans was the worst -although needed- part. To be able to do what I wanted, I would have to ask him to stay with Frank longer than usual. I wasn't going to lie to him anymore, it wasn't fair. I had done it many times before and he had felt understandably disappointed when he later found out.
I phoned him before going to sleep, after Frankie finally surrendered to taking a couple of aspirins and passed out on the couch. I didn't want to wait until the morning, when my and Ray's mood was never the best. It could result in an argument and I definitely didn't want to risk Frank overhearing us.
Toro cursed me, Anthony, Greg and even Bob for backing me up. He said that we were out of our minds and should just let the police take charge of the situation and arrest Linda once and for all. I couldn't disagree; but if Greg -who was Anthony's partner- had opted for at least half-respecting his decision, it wasn't my rightful place to contradict him. Ray understood that, although it didn't lessen his concern. I restated that we were only going to be near and wouldn't make ourselves visible save it was of sheer necessity. What he responded made me rethink everything: what would we do if things got complicated? We weren't fighters -I, for a fact, wasn't. We didn't have any weapon and even if we did, carrying one would usually just automatically turn you into a bad guy in those cases.
Ray was right. I didn't know what I'd do if Tony was in trouble, I just hoped it would not happen. At that moment I felt like retreating, but it was too late. What's more, I would never forgive myself if it all went wrong for Tony and I wasn't there. Even if uselessly, I had to go. I would improvise. Ray eventually admitted defeat and told me that he would talk his father into permitting him to arrive later.
******
That morning I couldn't let go of Frankie. I kept him on my lap all the time while we had breakfast, kissing and caressing him. Lastly, when we had finished, I remained glued to the chair; too wrapped up in our cuddle to get up and leave. I was exaggerating, overreacting to my fear. I seemed to be saying goodbye, seizing each good moment like I was going to war and didn't know if I'd be back. Frankie welcomed my effusiveness, though he sensed the weirdness in the air. Ray continued to give me the evil eye, hoping I would pick up the hint. I did, I knew I could easily step out of the danger; I just didn't want to. And even if my brain loved to torture me, my heart told me it would be okay.
"Gerard, you don't have to..." Ray tried again. "They're grown-ups, they can manage the situation by themselves."
"I wouldn't be that sure." I muttered.
"G-gee...why you're c-coming home l-later?" Frankie protested. We were still clutched to each other.
"I told you, babe. There's a lot of work at the store and I have to stay a couple more hours today. Just today."
"B-but no! D-don't want to," he sniffed. "I...I'll m-miss you!"
"I'll miss you too, but then we'll cuddle the whole night." I kissed his tears. He was making it harder for me to leave, and it was my fault. My insecurity made him more sensitive.
"P-pleaseee!"
"You won't even notice! Ray will surely find something fun for you to do, you'll see."
"Wh-what if Ray h-has to go?" Frank posed.
"He doesn't think he'll have to; but in the case his dad wanted him home, he'd leave you with the lady next door. You know...Kevin's mom? You stayed with her once..." I reminded him.
"Y-yeah, she's n-nice. Sh-she had yummy c-cookies and...and a b-big dog." he smiled, seemingly calmer. It was the right time for parting.
"Okay, then! If you go there just remember that she thinks you're my little brother."
"Y-yeah, I know!"
"Ray...stop worrying, man!" I approached and talked to him in a very low voice, having seen his constant frown. "Everything's gonna be alright, we'll be extra careful. This could be the end to all of our problems."
"Let's hope..." he rolled his eyes.
"It will. Thanks for everything, man! Frankie, come here and give me one last kiss. Big, so it'll last me till I'm back home!" I opened my arms for him and our lips gave in to the magnetic attraction.
As I headed for the door, I watched him wave at me with a grin. We needed to win that damn battle. Lock up the villains, recuperate what had been stolen from Frank -if at all feasible - and come back home to him, safely and unhurt. I liked to think of life like a tale sometimes. One of those fantasy stories that always end well.
******
The whole day at work was hell. I couldn't concentrate on what customers were telling me and I had to keep asking them to repeat their questions. Some didn't mind, but others got mad at me and I had to put all my self control into use to not flip. Instead I apologized, giving them the most sincere-looking smile I could manage. I wasn't that glad when my shift ended, anyhow. No, because what was coming next could be ten times worse.
Bob was waiting for me, leaned against his father's old but trusty, blue Ford. I didn't get in the car immediately, though. We first entered the Cafe across the street and chose a table at the back. I didn't want the cappuccino that was soon placed in front of me, my throat was closed; yet I had thought it was better to order something so they would not object to me using their bathroom. That's when Bob knew just how nervous I was. I'd normally never decline coffee.
After he downed both cups, I disappeared into the bathroom with my string bag. As I had told my friend, I was afraid that the guys who had shot me or been following us months ago might be around. I had brought something that would serve as a disguise, so they wouldn't recognize me if they accidentally saw me. Nothing weird or spy-movie like, just clothes I wouldn't usually wear.
I kept my jeans -which were black and discreet, replacing my long sleeved, gray t-shirt and black zip-up hoodie with a white buttoned shirt, a dark red tie and a black blazer. I tied my hair back in a pony tail and put some huge sunglasses on, staring at the image in the filthy mirror. I didn't look like myself. Exactly what I wanted, didn't I?
"Oh...nice, mister Way!" Bob giggled when I reappeared.
"Shut up, not funny! Did you pay?"
"Yeah."
"Well, let's go or we'll be late." I walked out of the Cafe and back to the car, waiting impatiently for Bob to open the door.
"Any accurate idea of where they'll meet?" he came up with another detail I hadn't pondered.
"Greg mentioned something about the bus stop, then I have no idea. They'll want to go somewhere to talk..."
"Is the hotel where Linda and that guy are staying on that same street?"
"Nope, that's like more than fifteen blocks from there. The police have the hotel surrounded so I don't think they'd come any closer. I'm trying to remember this street, now...you have some bars and restaurants and a small park on the other side. Where would you go if you were Linda or Anthony, Bob? Just in case we arrive after they did..." my derailed train of thought required some external assistance.
"Uh...for any normal, civil conversation I'd choose a bar or a restaurant, probably the first option if I'm not that close to the person..." he began.
"That would leave the restaurants out in this case..." I reasoned.
"Yeah, I think so. The thing is: Linda will try to keep the talk civil and not call people's attention, but from what Greg told you Anthony doesn't have the same idea."
"What do you mean?" I asked dumbly.
"Tony is furious, he'll want to set up the conditions. He'll end up bitching and probably screaming at her, so a bar would be a bad idea. The park -if they find a convenient spot- might give them better privacy and freedom to say whatever they wish without that many potential hearers. And...it's still public enough for Anthony's safety. Yeah, I'd check the park first." Bob concluded. I admired his capacity to analyze a situation which such tranquility even under pressure and while driving. I could never do that. Thinking hard would take up all of my brain functions most of times.
"Wow. That does make sense, Bob! You're awesome, man!"
"That's Super Bob for you, mortal. So...here we are, where first?" Bob's last words killed my laugh. I had been listening to his aloud deliberations and nearly forgotten that it would be a very short trip.
"The...the McDonald's two corners from here." I mumbled. I could see the van parked and as we got closer we were met by the sight of a very fidgety Greg pacing along the sidewalk. He greeted us and thanked us for being there.
"Did you see Linda?" I motioned for Bob's car as we talked, the idea of going in the van discarded for obvious reasons.
"No, she wasn't there yet, but Tony said he wanted to wait alone. He promised to call me if she didn't show up. I hope she doesn't...and if she does then I hope she's alone." he sat on the backseat, his head hanging weakly. A tough, big man disarmed by preoccupation. "Oh...and Tony knows that I alerted the police, they'll be here in about 20 minutes. He asked for some time to talk to Linda first."
"Tony agreed to call the police?"
"Yes, he knows this is the perfect chance."
"Some good news at last! Do you know where he and Linda will be?"
"He intended to drag her to the park..." Greg said.
"I knew it!" Bob cheered. "Ok, you Greg keep your head down. I'll drive slowly around the park and take a look. Once I see them we'll park far enough and make our way by foot."
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