Chapter Two
He drained the plastic bottle with loud pops of the thin bottle walls collapsing at THAT name dropping into his drunken haze.
Frank. Frankie, and so many other pet names they all used to use so casually, that now cut him to the quick just to think, even in the most private sections of his mind.
The empty bottle slid from his weak grasp to fall the few inches to the floor with a quiet hollow thud, as he finally managed to pass through the veil of memory and into a drunken dream filled sleep.
"Frankie, Frankie where are you?"
he called happily, wandering backstage on a warm sunny afternoon, his claret hair bright, and latest costume fitting perfectly, he felt great and looked better and oh! How he knew it, played on it even and knew exactly how to work the crowds of adoring fans and give photographers the special something extra they all wanted.
They had a great afternoon filming the latest video in what he felt was his best creation yet, he usually felt tired and drained after these sessions, but today everything just clicked and he was still buzzing off the adrenalin high from driving too fast, goofing off and being a total clown playing, enjoying being with his best friends, letting off steam and finally all meeting up again after such a hectic rush of family obligations, interviews, studio work and endless meetings and phone calls at all hours.
"Yo! Gee, over here " Frankie called back cheerily from the midst of racks upon racks of clothing set against the warehouse wall .
And there he was, grinning and humming distractedly, looking utterly adorable as he browsed through the racks of costumes, no doubt looking to slip embarrassing things into pockets or play some other type of joke on his latest unsuspecting victim.
Then, turning that brilliant smile, that managed to be utterly disarming yet wicked all at the same time, round to face him as he reached out a hand, 'come play Gee', he asked with a suggestive quirk of his eyebrow. Oh how Gerard wished Frankie didn't just mean as a co-conspirator in whatever this gag was .Something with tiny fire crackers by the looks of things.
He shifted and smiled slightly in his sleep as he dreamt of happier times, when he was different person, before it all got too much and overtook them all.
The dream changed to Mikey's house, some party or gathering, his mum laughing as he chased a chubby, giggling bandit across pale wooden floors,as Frankie's twins followed behind trying to catch him and pull him to the floor for their customary 'horsie rides'
Lindsay laughing, her hands wrapped around one of those thick clay coffee mugs ,then, all change again.
Frankie walking the length of the tourbus, clad only in grey jersey boxers while rubbing his wet hair with a towel, grinning as he meets Gerard's eyes failing in their attempt not to stare , "perv" he jokes throwing the wet towel at him before walking past to sit in the lounge area.
Causing his heart to break just a little ,even as he returned the grin with his own paler version.
Those same lips telling him "c'mon Gee don't cry, we all slip up,...four years before a relapse is fine...yeah, you fucked up but at least you know it... we're here Gee, please don't cry " the overwhelming feel of those surprisingly strong arms holding him up as he threw up and sobbed all night .