Metal Kingdom

42. Crazy Train

Crazy Train-Ozzy Osbourne

Frankie, Hunter and Morgan had sat around in the Sullivan's living room for the entire morning and a good half of their afternoon. Sharing laughs and stories together as they had a nice time. All three pleasantly surprised at their fast friendly dynamic with each other.

Frankie caught herself looking between the other two as she would get lost in her own thoughts. Never imagining this point in her life happening. Being real friends with Hunter Sylvester. Seeing him and her father bond and tell jokes inside her family home. The same home she would once rush home to. To share her hatred and complain about the same boy to her father. If you told her a half of a year ago this would be happening she would've laughed in your face and told you to get lost.

"Pretty sure my wife hates you." Morgan said as the three laughed over the last story. 

They had been reminiscing over the countless amount of times Frankie's mom, Stephanie, had to go to Parkrose schools. On account of her daughter and Hunter fighting or getting into mischief. She would get annoyed every time the schools phone number popped up on her cell phone. Knowing exactly what it was about. She, much like Frankie. would show up not willing to back down from a fight though. Usually making the matter worse by picking fights with school staff or Hunter's parents. Eventually the school learned not to call her anymore and would only send notes home if there was an incident.

"I'm pretty sure she told my dad to fix his balding problem the last time she got called in." Hunter cringed as he laughed while remembering. 

"That was after she told your mom to wax her upper lip though." Frankie added in. Chuckling as she thought about the specific day. 

Her mom was a lot of things but she at least she would go to bat for Frankie in front of others. Or at least she used to. 

There wasn't a time back then where Stephanie wouldn't march into any of those schools and tear down anyone in her path who so much looked at her daughter funny. Now she only takes her on trips out of guilt for not being there anymore. 

She posts all over social media when they're on vacation. Like she and Frankie are the best of friends. Frankie would ignore it and scroll past for the most part. Knowing 'it's just her being her'. But deep down she would fight the urge to breakdown over the lack of a mother she no longer felt like she had. Maybe it's why she clung so closely to her relationship with her father. He was a great man in her eyes. Always there when she needed him, would drop anything in the world for her, never tried to change her personality. Only encourage what hobbies she displayed an interest in. He was the best parent she could have asked for.

Frankie and Morgan got quiet after the laughter died down. It was obvious that their minds both got lost in thought over separate feelings they were having when reminiscing about Stephanie. Hunter could tell as the atmosphere changed around them but chose not to pry. Addressing them both to say goodbye as he figured it was a good time to head home.

"I'll walk you out." Frankie spoke as she stood up from the couch. 

Hunter shook Morgan's hand goodbye as he told him not to be a stranger. The younger pair heading outside after.

"Don't be a stranger? How long was I asleep for for you and my dad to fall in love?" Frankie joked as she closed the front door behind her and Hunter.