To The Last Parade

Five

December

~Frank~

"Why can't they at least let you boys stay for Christmas?" Ms. Way complained.

There was a ship awaiting us as we said our goodbyes. Every boy seemed to have a family except me.

I clenched on to my leather case with both hands in fear of what lied ahead.

Mikey and Gerard told their mother farewell and embraced her sadly.

Donna then placed her hands on both of her son's shoulders.

"Be my brave little soldiers okay?" She sternly asked.

They nodded back at her when the water works kicked in. She began bawling yet again.

I looked over to the ship with wide eyes. I hated this. I didn't even know if my mom was alive let alone okay.

I wished my father would just drop dead. I loathed his very existence.

Waves crashed up against the side of the large ship. One after another they came.

Suddenly, Donna wrapped her arms around me and wept on my uniformed shoulder.

"Frank, in the few months I've had you, you've become like a son to me. Thank you for that. I love you boy." She proudly stated.

"Thank you mam, thank you." I joyfully said.

"You can call me mama." She told me.

I scoffed. "You couldn't get any kinder could you?"

"Well, you boys had better get going." She urged as I heard the ship horn blow rather loudly.

Ray, Bob, and James caught up with us after leaving their families.

"You guys look so handsome."

"Thank you Ms. Way." Ray said along with James.

Then just like that, we were off. We leaned over the edge of the boat railing along with countless others and waved goodbye to New Jersey and all the people in it.

I knew I would soon come to miss it dearly but not quite yet.

When the shore was nearly out of sight, I approached Gerard. He was talking with Mikey about something or other but immediately stopped when he saw me.

"Frankie are you okay?" He seemed concerned. Then I realised I had been crying. I hadn't even noticed.

Gerard pulled me into an embrace.

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks." I answered. "We should probably go get in our rooms right?" I suggested.

The original transport ship had been sunk so the government  was forced to provide us with a normal passenger ship with luxurious features.

"Yeah, it's two per room." Ray added in. "How are we gonna spit us up?" He asked.

"Well, Mikey and Gera-" I started to say but I was interrupted by Gerard himself.

"Actually... would you care if... you know... um... we... um..." he stumbled.

"Really? I mean... Yah sure, I don't think you could have been any more clear with that." I teased.

I saw him blush slightly. I wanted to kiss him right then and there but I couldn't risk being seen.

"Can I go with you James?" Mikey asked.

"I was about to ask the same thing." James nodded.

Mikey chuckled then the two of them walked off.