Troubles

The walk to Newark took me less than 2 hours today. I must've walked fast. I'm just real anxious to see my girl. I've missed her so much.

Even though it's in the middle of the day and Brian always prefers me coming in after closing, I step inside. It's warm and cozy, almost like a home.

Brian is behind the counter helping someone, but he has time to look up and give me a small smile. I smile back widely.

That is, until I look up at the wall. And that is all I see; the wall. My girl is gone. My soul mate isn't where she's always been; where she's been hanging every day for the past 8 months. She's gone.

I suddenly feel a hand on my shoulder and I jump three feet in the air. Before I land again, my stomach starts aching and my throat tightens around itself. My eyes start burning.

“I'm sorry, kid. A woman came in earlier and bought it.” My head spins around once before I look down at the carpet and try to regain my breath.
“Don't worry. There'll be other guitars.” A tear slips out of my eye and falls onto the floor. Brian tightens his grip on my shoulder.
“Hey, Frank. Come on. It's not the end of the world,” he says, and immediately after, I sob. I can't keep it in. I thought she would be in my life forever. I thought she'd never leave me and stick by me until the day I was able to buy her myself. I thought I could have her forever. I thought she believed that one day, she would be mine and mine alone.

And now she's gone.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Brian shushes and pulls me into a hug. I press my face against his chest and let his t-shirt absorb all the tears I can't stop from streaming down my cheeks.

If this was two days ago, I would've probably ran to the nearest bridge – or maybe just ran onto the road – and killed myself. But right now, I have Gerard. At least I hope I do. And I hope I want.

“It's not the guitar, is it?” Brian asks, and even though I don't answer him, I can tell my silence gave him enough of an answer.
“Come with me.”