To The End

9 Frank

The bar is crowded tonight, it’s loud. I think, if I weren’t drinking, I probably would’ve left by now and been in bed, asleep. Dakota is looking around nervously, Mikey is carrying on a conversation with Ray, and Bob is listening to Maddie who won’t be quiet. “Dakota.” she looks up at me, her eyes as if she’s just being released from a deep thought “Yes?” she’s tapping her fingers. She only does that when she’s nervous, of course something is wrong. “What’s wrong?” I take a sip of my beer, not taking my eyes off her. “Oh.. Where is Gerard?” she is still scanning the bar. Gerard... I haven’t seen him for awhile, I guess that is a good reason to be nervous, he’s always around. I shrug, then look around the bar. I see a head of black hair bobbing in the corner, but I can’t see who it is, because the crowd of people there. “Maybe that’s him, I’ll go see” she nods, and I stand up. I have to push several people gently, so I can make it through. Maybe we should stop going to this place, it’s a dance club, and we don’t dance, crowds only annoy us. I finally reach the corner. “Gerard?” I call out, and there he is, he smiles. “Hey.... Frank” shit, he’s stoned. There was a blonde standing next to him, but she wasn’t a stereotype blonde. She was very conservative, she’s wearing all black. She is holding Gerard’s wrist, as if to keep him there. “Is he with you?” she asks, looking me in the eye. She’s got beautiful crystal blue eyes. I nod. She smiles, “Well,you may want to get Gerard home” I nod. “Yeah, that’d be a good idea” I nod. Gerard shakes his head, “No, Frank! Let’s stay,” he leans in and whispers in my ear “We can have fun later..”  oh lord. “Gerard, let’s go” he shakes his head and sits down. “Never.” We’re gonna be here awhile then. The girl giggles. “I’m Sam” she holds out her hand, I shake it “As you probably noticed, I’m Frank” “Nice to meet you Frank, need some help getting him out of here?” I nod “Just to the bar, that’s where my friends are waiting. She nods “Gerard, let’s go” he just shakes his head. She whispers something in his ear, and he gets up. “Alright then, let’s go” he seemed pleased with himself. What could she have said?! I don’t even think I want to know. I just shake the thought off. Gerard stands up, stumbling, I catch him before he falls. Even when he steadies, I keep a firm hand on his shoulder. He’s taller than me, and most likely stronger. But I’m in a better state than he is at the moment. I keep my hand on his back so he’ll stay steady. “Let’s go Gee” He nods and reluctantly follows. Sam was on the other side of him, not really keeping him steady, but she seemed that if he were to fall, she’d help. In reality, she’s way too... um... petite, to do anything. Anyway, we make it to the guys, who are doing exactly the same thing as when I left. When Dakota sees Gerard, she sighs and shakes her head and sighs. Mikey sees him, and hurriedly walks over to us. “Gerard, not again” he sighs. “Everything is o-k-a-y, Mikey.” Mikey shakes his head, “Of course it isn’t o-fucking-kay, Gerard. You need to stop, you really do.” Gerard grins “I’m nooootttt oooooookkkaaaayyyyy” he sings. Mikey is looking pissed, holy crap, he doesn’t get this pissed... ever. He never does. Dakota must’ve seen it. She gets up and stands behind him, she puts her hands on his shoulders, “Come on Mikey, lets just go” Mikey nods and follows her. We had almost reached the door of the place, when Sam stops. I look back at her, while Gerard has a conversation with a stripper (lovely). “I’ve gotta stay here with my friend...” she pulls a card sort of thing out of her pocket, then slips it into Gerard’s. “Have him call me, when he’s sober.” She winks. “Nice meeting you, Frank” I smile slightly “Back at you” then I lead Gerard out of the door “See you later Cinnamon!” Gerard shouts behind him, at the stripper. He smiles and looks back to me “C’mon Frank, why’d we have to go?” I just shake my head and ignore him. They had hailed a taxi, and were waiting for us. I push Gerard in the cab, then sit next to him. Good thing it’s a minivan taxi, there’s a bunch of us. I close the door.