My Chemical Romance

Ate-teen

As I stirred my cup of tea I sang along with the Flyleaf song that blasted through my iHome’s speakers.  My phone vibrated on the coffee table, making it jitter across the wood.  Picking it up I saw Frank’s name flash across the screen in bold blue letters.  Skype? He asked in the message. 

Not bothering to respond, I turned the stereo down and signed into my computer.  I sipped my tea as I waited for him to answer my call.  It's late at night where he is and he’s probably exhausted after working all day.

“Happy Birthday!”  I nearly fell out of my seat at the sudden screaming from my computer.  Frank was now on the screen, wearing that classic grin that made my worries about him dissipate but a uniform that made them return.  “I can’t believe you’re 18 now.”  He leaned back in his chair and let out a breath as if it were all sinking in.  “I’ll have to have Jay keep an eye on you for me from now on.”  Cuz he doesn’t enough already?  And it’s not like I go searching for trouble!  If Frank only knew how many times he has saved my butt.       

“Ha ha, thanks Frank.”  None of the guys knew about my birthday as far as I know.  I’m not one of those people that goes around marking everyone’s calendar, announcing it 2 months in advanced, or wearing a tiara all day.  One girl at my school would wear a sash and crown all day.  And they thought I was weird? 

“Doing anything fun today?  No drinking,” he said with a stern glance.

“Practice with the guys.  And it’s still illegal for me to drink.”  Practice was more routine by now, but it always led to something fun.  Frank gave me a flat look and I’m sure it wasn’t about my drinking age.  He didn’t even have to ask if I had told the guys, he knew I wouldn’t.  But I know he would.  “Did you tell them?”  He looked taken aback and said

“No,” in a very convincing voice.  With one eyebrow risen I asked

“Really?”  Frank just nodded and I said “Oh.  Cool.”  Changing the subject I asked “How was your day?”

“Fine, now quit changing the subject.”  Damn.  “How come you never said anything to me during Thanksgiving?  Like, ‘Hey, Frank, you’re missing my birthday.  Why don’t we celebrate now?’  You should have said something to me.”  I looked down at my now half empty cup of tea nervously. 

“I didn’t want to make you more upset or have you worry more.  You had a lot going on too.”  I heard him sigh and could picture him running a hand through his dark hair that was now cut short.  Unable to look up at him I just listened. 

“If that’s the reason then you’re an idiot.”  My eyes snapped up at to see him wearing a sour expression that made me regret looking up.  “Sure I was busy but not enough for me to celebrate your birthday.  Come on Eva, you know me better than that.”  Letting out an uneasy breath I felt myself tense a bit.  “Tell me those things when I’m distracted by work.  Please.”  I nodded at him, trying to fight tears.  If I could have one thing for my birthday or Christmas it would be a hug from Frank.  He always made things better.

“I’m sorry.  I just…”

“Still don’t want to be a burden?”  My eyes shot up to meet his again.  He’s always known about the internal struggle I have with myself over being a weight that’s dragging him down.  “Eva, you were never a burden, you are my sister.  I may have had to get my shit together pretty fast, but none of that was ever because of you.  It’s because we lost both of our parents.”  Feeling his eyes searched me for some sign of understanding I gave a nod of the head.

“I wish you were here.” 

“Me too, kid, me too.” 

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@