My Chemical Family

Chapter 2

My New Home

I got out of the car, glad to stretch my legs after the nearly two hour drive. I was still really nervous, and even more than earlier since reality set in. "So, you like the house?" Gerard asked me.

"Uh, yeah, it's really nice," I said.

"You ok?"

I smiled and started unpacking the car, Gerard helping me and Mikey just going in and sitting on the couch. "Yeah, I just... this is new for me. I never really had a place to call home, but now I do."

"I hope you like it here. All I want is a happy kid."

"So, I guess Lindsey took Bandit in the divorce?"

"Yeah, full custody. I only get visits. I guess I kinda get it. I started drinking again, a lot actually, after the divorce. Plus, there may have been some drugs. It was my way of dealing with it, and Lindsey used that against me in court."

"I'm really sorry. It had to be hard, I understand."

"It really was. I even had some suicidal thoughts, before Mikey made me go to counseling."

"I've had those too. Have the scars to prove it."

"Why would someone as wonderful as you have those kind of thoughts?"

"Because you're the first person to think I'm wonderful. None of my foster families have ever been nice, and some parents even abused me. I never had friends, and I ate lunch in the corner of the library, alone. I usually got horrible grades in band because my families wouldn't let me practice. I had a horrible life, and nothing worth living for. But, music helped me through it, and eventually I was at least content."

"Wow, I'm so sorry. Trust me, I will not let the rest of your life be that fucked up."

"Thanks," I said, wiping tears from my face, "That really means a lot to me."

"Oh, really, it's no big deal. I chose you for a reason. I read you had struggled with depression, and I know I can help you through that. Plus, you play a lot of instruments, so that's good."

"How did you know I played a lot of instruments?"

"It said in your file that you play, well, let's see: flute, saxophone, every type of guitar imaginable, clarinet, drum set, really any percussion instrument, ukulele, and piano."

"Yeah, sounds about right," I said embarrassedly.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. That's amazing. How did you learn all that?"

"I taught myself most of it. I don't have any instruments. I wish I had my own saxophone for band class, but I don't. Anyway, I mostly snuck off to a music store. It was harder when I still lived back in Ohio, where I'm originally from, at least during the winter when it was fifteen below and there was snow. Anyway, I would go to the music store and use their instruments. The cashier, I think her name was Katy, always let me. We were pretty close. But, it got harder when I was forced to move out here. Sorry, I'm rambling."

"No, it's ok. I'm getting to know you, this is good."

"Oh, ok. So, your turn. Let me get to know the real Gerard Way, not just what I've seen through interviews, especially since most, scratch that, all, of the interviews I've seen were back from, like, Danger Days times."

"Sure. Well, nothing's really different. Not a thing has changed, except my divorce."

"Oh, ok. So, why did you get a divorce anyway?"

"Uh, it's really complicated. I'm not gonna bore you with the details."

"Ok."

"So, what made you listen to My Chemical Romance?"

"Uh, one of my foster siblings listened to you, and I got really into it."

"Cool. So, what's your favorite song?"

"Oh, Mama for sure. But, I also like Blood."

"Ah, the hidden track. I'm proud of that."

"You should be, it's amazing. I think it could've been a little more hidden, but still."

"Oh really? And how could it have been more hidden?"

"Well, instead of making it an entirely different track, you should've added it to the end of Famous Last Words. Most people would just skip because it would be boring sitting there in silence."

"Good point. Well, too late now."

"Yeah, but still. Speaking of MCR, when are we gonna get a reunion tour?"

"I haven't even started thinking about it."

"Damn it. I've been looking forward to a reunion tour since you broke up."

"Well, you'll just have to be patient."

"I'm not a very patient person."

"Too bad. So, next order of business, what's your favorite food?"

"Uh, probably spaghetti."

"Cool. So, do you want any coffee when we're done?"

"Uh, no thanks. I don't like coffee."

"Oh, ok."

For the next few hours, he helped me unpack and we talked. Mikey came in a couple times, but it was just to ask Gerard about food. And I had a really good time. A better time than I had had in a while.