This is believe it or not, my favourite chapter. Even though he's a pain in the arse I've always felt that Frank had an interesting childhood and I really enjoyed writing this. Again I apologise for Potter...it was a rushed effort.
Anyway I hope this chapter makes you see how really misunderstood Ferret Face...ahem...I mean Frank really is.
Frank 1926
'Hey Ferret Face wait up!'
Frank's face burned with humiliation when he heard his brother yell out to him in the street. The last thing he needed was Howard's teasing. He had just gotten his report card for the end of 7th grade and Frank had gotten either C's or D's in his lessons.
'Don't ignore me Frankie!' yelled Howard again and before Frank could pick up the pace and walk away his brother was standing next to him with an evil grin on his handsome face. Howard was 16 and looked exactly like William (Mr Burns).
Frank was jealous of his brother because he always got everything, good grades, girlfriends, respect, good looks and a fantastic personality. The only thing Frank liked about himself was…well…at least his mother liked him.
Howard put his arm around his little brother in a gesture that looked to be friendly. 'What's the matter Ferret Face? Did you get a bad report card?'
Frank looked up into Howard's face. 'Um…no…you meanie, I did well!'
Come backs had never been Frank's strong point. Plus he always aimed them at the wrong people because as soon as the words were out of his mouth Howard smacked him in the back of the head.
'Shut up Ferret Face.' Howard walked ahead and left his brother behind rubbing the back of his head.
Frank trudged into the house 10 minutes after Howard and came face to face with his father. Frank and William had a very odd relationship and Frank always suspected that his father only pretended to like him.
Without saying a word William held out his hand for Frank's report card which he gave up immediately. Frank was deathly afraid of his father and didn't like to aggravate him.
After a few minutes of silence Frank was called into the living room where William was sitting on his large leather chair smoking a cigar and looking particularly angry.
William looked up when his son walked in and took the cigar out of his mouth.
'Frank, why are you so stupid?' began William quietly. This was always a bad sign because it meant he was only going to yell afterwards.
Frank chose not to answer and only gave his father a resentful glare.
William frowned and flicked the ashes from his cigar onto Frank's report card. 'Don't give me that look young man.' To prove a point to his son, William smacked Frank across the face.
'Frank, your mother and I pay to get you a private education, why can't you work harder!' William was getting rather mad and Frank knew it was only a matter of time before he started comparing Frank to Howard.
'Now Howard,' (I knew it thought Frank) 'He's at the top of his English class and gets A's and the occasional B in all his other classes. He appreciates education Frank, why can't you?'
Frank looked at the carpet as his blue eyes filled with tears. William noticed his son starting to cry and sighed.
'Frank, why do you have to act like such a sissy?' William clucked his tongue. 'Go to your room, I can't look at you, you disappointed me Franklin.'
Frank turned and walked out the living room rather quickly and made his way to his bedroom where he sat on his bed and began to cry.
'Frankie darling?'
Frank looked up and saw his mother standing in the doorway. Frank was the spitting image of Gertrude (Mrs Burns), from his baby blue eyes to his dark hair.
'Why doesn't he like me mummy?' sobbed Frank and Gertrude made her way across the room and embraced her son.
'Shh, Frankie your father loves you he just doesn't know how to show it.' Gertrude rocked Frank back and forth slowly.
Dad's right, I am a sissy. I'm 13 and I'm crying in my mother's lap. Frank thought bitterly as he cried into Gertrude's apron.
'Why don't I have any friends?' asked Frank as he looked up at Gertrude with a tear stained face.
Gertrude sighed and hugged her son tighter. 'They just haven't realised what a fantastic person you really are Frankie.'
William made a point at dinner that night to praise Howard for his excellent grades and to put down Frank at every opportunity. Frank made a promise to himself that night. He was tired of being second best, from that moment on he vowed to study hard and show up his father. He would become a lawyer or a stock broker or a doctor even! He would show William that Frank Burns was not a loser.
Please review this chapter! Like I said it's my favourite and I'd really love to see what you think of it.
Last Chapter...Hawkeye!