Finding a Way | Adopted by Gerard Way

October 31st

I remember the last Halloween before I was put up for adoption. My mother essentially shoved a white sheet into my arms saying, "There. You're a ghost."

Little seven year old me cut out some eye holes and put the sheet over my head. I was a ghost. I loved it.

I went trick-or-treating on my own that year and my mom went to a party. I was free to eat as much candy as I wanted because I was alone in the house until the next morning. Not that she'd care either way.

She had gone out dressed as a 'sexy nurse', whatever that means. It was kind of ironic, because nurses are always so cheery and eager to be of aid. Maybe too eager. (I learned that at a pretty young age). But, my mom was the opposite of happy and helpful.

I hate nurses.

"So, Eve, has Emerald asked her mom about tonight yet?" Gee asks me during the drive to school.

"Yep. Plan is go." I'll be going to her house after school and staying the night. Gerard's gonna go celebrate Frank's birthday.

"You have everything you need? Clothes, phone, toothbrush?"

"Yes, Gee. I checked like three times before leaving the house."

"Okay, just making sure." We pull into the school parking lot and he hands me my lunch money which I stuff into the pocket of my jeans. "Love you, Eve. See you tomorrow."

• • •

The day couldn't have gone by more slowly. The only fun part was that some people showed up wearing Halloween costumes. Oh, also, any time we got, Em and I planned out what we're going to do tonight.

We decided we'd stay home rather than go trick-or-treating, and instead watch Hocus Pocus and make some popcorn. I wasn't too keen on the whole popcorn idea, but I agreed. It's Halloween, I should be able to have a few pieces, right?

"This is gonna be so fun!" Em squeals as she drags me towards her mom's car now that school is finally done for the day.

"Yeah, I can't believe I haven't gone to your house yet!" I am a bit nervous, though. You see, Emerald makes me feel things. Butterflies, most notably. I feel like I'm walking on clouds when she talks about something she's passionate about and her eyes light up and she has a cute little smile on her face—

"Eve, get in the car, it's kinda chilly out here." Em nudges me a little.

"Right. Sorry." Nice one, Evelyn. Daydreaming again.

Her mom makes friendly conversation on the drive to their house. The regular questions about how school is going, if we have any tests coming up, boring stuff. She's really nice, though. She's the kind of mother that makes me realize how badly I struck out in the parent-department. The first time, anyway.

Emerald's house, a simple, white two-story, has been decorated for Halloween. Pumpkins line the few stairs up to the front door and some fake headstones are planted in the yard.

"C'mon let's go put our stuff upstairs," she says once we're inside, then leads me upstairs to her room. She points across the hall to a white door, "That's my sister's room. She's not here, though, she's in college."

I don't pay attention to that, though. I've just dropped my stuff next to hers and now I'm looking around my friend's room. Her favourite colours, black and dark blue, cover it from floor to ceiling with everything from the curtains to the wall art, her bedspread and the rug on the floor. "I like it," I nod approvingly.

"Thanks!" She smiles brightly. "So, let's go get a snack cause I'm hungry and then we can just come back here and hang out."

I follow her down to the kitchen where a man is sitting at the table reading a newspaper.