Headfirst for You

Ch 12 Roadrunner and T-Bird

Gerard watched as Donald grilled vegetables on the stove.

"Hey dad?"

"Yeah?"

"We found a way to meet Frank's dad."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We called the number that Joan left on Frank's dad's shirt and actually got in contact with her."

Gerard's dad turned and looked at Gerard like he was crazy.

"I know, I know." Gerard reassured. "She said the band will be here in Jersey on Christmas Eve and we get to see the show for free and then surprise his dad."

"Shit dude!" Donald exclaimed and put the finished food on a plate and covered it with a paper towel.

"Can I go? Linda's going."

"Gerard, you don't have to ask me. You just have to tell me. You know what are plans are for Christmas and you know that I know that this is important."

"How about mom?"

"Mom was rude to you. In my opinion, she doesn't have a say in what you do for a while. I'll just let her know in advance and you promise to say good bye to her when you leave."

Gerard bolted out of his chair at the counter and squeezed his dad tight. "Thank you."

*

Frank looked over his vest. He had his mom sew on his name symbol on the back with the words "I've been better" on the top and "but I've also been worse" on the bottom. Patches and pins littered the front including a gay pride flag, Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein, Nirvana, Black Flag-the list went on and on. He had decided to wear his dad's shirt, letting the message and phone number hide under the vest. He was pretty sure Joan didn't want her number going around.

"Yo Pansy, hurry up!" Gerard knocked on the door as he passed by Frank's door.

Frank grabbed his camera and pass that Joan sent to his house and caught up with Gerard who was wearing a different merch shirt and skinny jeans with his indestructible army parka and sweater.

"You ready?"

*

The crowd was loud. People were talking and buzzing with the accompanied friends and fellow fans like one big community. There was a massive age range from adults with their kids and teenagers and young adults. It was crazy for Frank to see an old man talking about how he saw the runaways in his twenties and Frank couldn't help but shake the guys hand.

The lights dimmed and everybody started getting riled up. Linda put her hand up and hollered, making Frank and Gerard laugh. Even though she was older, she really hadn't changed much over the years.

And there she was. Fifty six looking like forty one with the smooth white skin that glowed against the jet black hair and leather jacket. Tiny but mighty that packet a punch and a crazy vocal range.

But Frank only focused on that for so long until a man walked out in a black shirt covered with sleeves of tattoos. His long hair grew down to just about his shoulders and his smile lit up the whole room. A warm light-hearted smile that felt a little goofy but down-right happy. Thunder filled the room as soon as Frank's dad thrashed on the drums and led into an intro for the rest of the band to come out.

And the place blew up.

Sweat, tears, hearts racing, glassy eyes that were simultaneously blood shot, adrenaline renegades that just wanted a good rush and to scream every word right back to the legend herself. Lights shined and the band members pounded and ran about, just making the masses move and churn.