TONIGHT WE'RE GOLD

TWENTY-NINE

'So apparently I just need a couple more credits and I can get my degree,' Frank says, scrolling down the screen on his laptop, looking at the requirements.

'That's nothing!' Gerard says from the kitchen.

'Yeah, but I still have to wait until January to start the semester.'

'But we're almost there.' He stops what he's doing and joins Frank on the other side of the counter, wrapping his arms around his waist from behind, reading from the website. 'You're really doing this, huh?'

'Tell me I'm not too old to do it, because I feel too old to do it.'

'You're not. You're not old, and there's no age limit for college. I remember there was this old guy when I went to art school, he was like seventy, and he had some money saved and nothing else to do, and he went to art school because he wanted to be an artist all his life but his family wanted him to be a lawyer.'

Frank turns to his fiancé and kisses him. 'Why do you always know what to say?'

'I'm that cool.'

'Just don't let it get to your head.' He turns back to the screen and keeps scrolling. After filling out a form or two, he's enrolled in three different classes, and set to start the following semester. 'Maybe I should have listened to my dad and not drop out.'

'Maybe. But also things happen for a reason.' Gerard turns the bar stool so that Frank is looking at him. 'I'm not saying you had to go through all that, because I wish you didn't have to. But maybe we wouldn't be together. And all that wisdom you have now will be more useful.'

'Have I told you that I'm completely in love with you?' Frank says, pulling his closer.

'Are you? I guess my plan worked then.' Gerard smiles back at him, stroking his hair, and kisses him. 'I'm so proud of you.'

'Thank you, that means a lot.'

***

Over the next couple days, things seem to be calm.

Frank takes both dogs for a walk every morning, and comes home to fresh brewed coffee and a boyfriend working in his office. Frank has a lot to catch up with, so he sits by the corner and reads and takes notes. Lois, Soup, Lotion and Susan napping nearby. 'I don't know if I can do it,' he says, frustrated. 'It's been too long, and I don't remember anything.'

'You'll do fine.'

'You have a lot of faith in me.'

'Always.' He gets up from his desk and joins Frank. 'There's a reason I was an art kid, I don't understand any of this.'

Frank just laughs. 'And I love you for that.' When he feels his brain is about to explode, he puts everything aside, and takes his guitar instead. He just plays, not thinking about it, just letting it out, making up tunes, and he notices Gerard humming a melody. He loves his voice, but doesn't say it because he knows he'll get self-conscious, and he just loves how natural it comes to him.

He still doesn't like his job, but at least it keeps his mind off.

Kaya texts him that she and her family just arrived back from Florida, and that she'll be there at the next meeting.

Frank is just waking up after a long night at work, serving himself a cup of coffee, when his phone rings. It's Lina. 'Hey,' he greets her.

'Glad to find you awake, Frank,' she jokes. 'I was actually calling to see if you're free right now.'

'Yeah, why?'

'I think I found something for you.'

She sends him an address, and tells him to meet her there in an hour. 'What is this for again?' Gerard asks, curious.