Death Is Strange

NINE

Jeph Howard was slouched at a small table outside the coffee shop, smoking. Gerard walked briskly over to him. "Hey, Jeph," he said.

Like so many times before, Frank was struck by Gerard's unpredictable but admirable confidence. He seemed to almost alternate between self-assurance and fearful self-hatred. Frank's gaze flitted from Gerard to Jeph. Is Jeph Gerard's type? Frank found himself wondering, and mentally kicked himself for it, his eyes skimming over Jeph's stringy dark hair, tattooed neck, the large gauges and piercings in his ears.

"Frank?" Gerard's voice broke through his reverie. "Have a seat, baby. Are you okay?"

Frank nodded. "Yeah." Jeph was looking at him with a great deal of interest and Frank swallowed hard. He's definitely my type, if not Gerard's.

"I'm Frank," Frank said, and shook Jeph's hand. Jeph had a strong grip, and the tips of his fingers were rough, calloused. Just like Frank's. "I heard you do music. You're a guitarist?"

Jeph nodded. "Yeah. Haven't done too much since Bert disappeared off the face of the earth, but hell yes I'm a guitarist."

"Same, actually," Frank said.

Gerard looked over at him, surprised. "You never told me that."

"You never asked."

"I'm shit at guitar, but I can sing," Gerard said.

Jeph nodded, absentmindedly dropping the butt of his cigarette, grinding it beneath the heel of his shoe. "I've never had the pleasure of hearing you. Bert said you were better than him."

"That's a fucking lie," Gerard said, blushing slightly. "Bert was – is... he's got a great voice."

"So do you think he's out there?" Jeph asked, picking at the red polish on his thumbnail.

"That's what we wanted to ask you," Gerard said. "It's been a little over a month. When was the last time you heard from him?"

"The evening before he disappeared, actually. We talked on the phone for a few minutes. He told me he was taking you on a date and he was excited."

Gerard buried his face in his hands for a moment, taking a deep breath. Frank set a hand on his shoulder, looking up at Jeph. "So I'm guessing he didn't say anything about taking off for somewhere by himself?"

"Fuck no." Jeph lit another cigarette, taking a long drag. "Bert wouldn't have ditched Gerard like that." Wisps of smoke puffed from his mouth with each word. And it was really nice mouth. Go kill yourself, Frank, his brain shrieked. He blinked slowly. Jeph winked at him. A slow, saucy wink.

Gerard had regained composure and was looking from Frank to Jeph to Frank and back at Jeph again. "I can see it," he said flatly.

"What?" Frank said stupidly, pulling his eyes away from Jeph.

"You guys would totally hit it off," Gerard said. "I can tell just from the way you're raping each other with your eyes. I'm not fucking stupid. But I'm not going to end our friendship over this. I don't actually give a fuck. Nope. Fuck this. I can see it," he said again.

"Do you need a minute with Frank?" Jeph said, startled by the tears glinting in Gerard's eyes. "Damn, Gee, I'm sorry. We didn't even do anything."

Gerard nodded. "No. I'm not mad at you. It's personal. No... fuck this," he repeated, and stood, shaking all over. "Go ahead. I deserve this."

Jeph started to get up. "Do you want me to get you a coffee or something, Gee?"

Gerard nodded, shamefacedly brushing away a tear. "Thanks."