So Long, Not Goodnight

Chapter Forty-One

They all gathered around the kitchen table and served up plates of barbecued chicken, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes with gravy and butter, and soft rolls. Ray and Mikey had brought over takeout for them all to eat together and to check up to see how Gerard was faring on his first day back home. The company sat down, cutlery pinging against their plates as they tore into their feast. Gerard reluctantly took a small dollop of potatoes into his mouth, chewing it regardless that it was the consistency of puree. Both Frank and Mikey watched as he ate slowly, one small bite and then another, mostly of the potatoes and a singular roll. At least he was eating, that was already progress. Ray, however, was shoveling food into his mouth like he had been starving on the streets for weeks, barbecue sauce and gravy rimmed over his lips. Mikey looked over at his boyfriend and smiled crookedly. "Geez, you're such a slob sometimes," he giggled as Ray looked up, his fork gripped in one hand and his knife in another. "Slow down or you'll get a stomachache."

"Sorry, babe," Ray swallowed a huge wad. "'So fucking good."

They all chortled, including Gerard. Frank sighed happily at the sound of his boyfriend's happy noises from next to him. Watching him smile loosened the constricting fear around his heart. Being around his friends and family was a happy place for Gerard, one that he felt safe and comfortable in and it showed. Sure he would bicker with his brother over silly things, but that was a part of it. "Ugh," Gerard sat back in his chair, dropping his utensils over the remnants on his plate. "I feel like I should have paced myself."

His plate was a little less than half eaten. "You better have saved room for dessert," Ray wiped his mouth on a napkin and then got up, collecting everyone's dishes. 

"Rayyy," Gerard whined teasingly.

"How about some dessert and I brew a pot of decaf?" Ray stacked the dishes by the sink and found the canister of grounds in the freezer, measuring some into the filter. 

"Coffee?" Gerard perked up immediately. "I guess I can have a little dessert and a cup."

Frank got up from his chair as Mikey stole it and began talking with his brother. As Ray poured water in the reserve, Frank sidled up to him. "Hey, would you guys mind watching him for a little while I run out?"

"Of course not," Ray smiled over his shoulder. "Why? What's up?"

"Erm..." Frank hummed, thinking up a believable reason. "I wanted to pick up some things for Gerard, some groceries and bubble bath and stuff..."

"That's a good idea," Ray clicked the button on the machine and the coffee began to brew. "D'ya mind picking up some more coffee? I think you guys are low and you know how much he fucking drinks."

"Yeah of course," Frank nodded gratefully.

"You wanna borrow my car?" Ray reached into his front jeans pocket, extracting a keyring. 

"Are you sure?" Frank took the keys from him reluctantly.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Ray laughed. "We won't be going anywhere until after you're back anyways. Just be careful, alright?"

"You have my word," Frank hugged him. "Thanks, Ray!"

Before leaving the kitchen, Frank stepped behind Gerard's chair and kissed his head, feeling his hair tickle under his nose. "Where're you going?" Gerard leaned his head back, looking at Frank upside down.

"Just running out to pick up a few things," Frank pulled his jacket on. "I'll be back soon."

"Okay," Gerard smiled; even upside down it radiated happily all around the room.

Frank started the car and drove off down the drive, hoping he remembered how to get to where he needed to go, and fortunately he did. It was only a few minutes away by car as Frank signaled into the small parking lot outside of Saint John Parish. Frank stared up at the long, stained glass windows gating the heavy wooden doors at it's entry. He exhaled, composing himself, and walked up the sidewalk to the entrance. Pulling the cold, metal handle, it opened to a huge church hall, the light bouncing all around him, dust motes from the air outside sparkling and rising to the ceiling like stars.