Oh Baby Let Me In

January 4th, 2000
Sunday;afternoon

"This show is so horrible Frank, seriously."

My mouth dropped open in mock horror, eyebrows knitted together, though my eyes never left the screen. "Take that back."

I heard Mikey groan, shifting in his seat next to me. "Gerard is obsessed this this show, too. I don't get what the big deal about it is."

I rolled my eyes, laughing out loud as SpongeBob and Squidward marched though the outskirts of the city, Krusty Krab pizza in hand. "Just fucking watch it Mikey, and you'll know why it's the best."

SpongeBob started singing on the TV, skipping along and annoying Squidward to no end. I laughed once again, sliding further into the couch, nodding my head to the song. "The Krusty Krab pizza, is the pizza, for you and me!"

The front door of the Way household stole my voice, and Gerard barged into the living room, bright grin gracing his face. "I found them! In the garage, they're pieces of shit, but they'll work!" He was hopping up and down where he was standing, hands balled into fists at his side.

Mikey shot up from the couch, sighing loudly. "Thank God. I couldn't stand one more second of this stupid show."

Gerard's arm shot out and connected with Mikey's chest; the sound echoing through the room. "Fuck off, this show is amazing!"

Mikey shoved passed Gerard, making sure to push him harder then necessary as he rubbed at his sore chest. "You and Frank can drool over it then."

Gerard shook his head, grin back in place. He pointed in my direction. "Some other time!" He went to the TV, switching it off before marching off to the door. "Let’s move it!"

++

"These do not look safe Gee," Mikey spoke warily, kicking at the broken plastic sleds that sat at his feet.

Gerard had driven us to the middle school in town; the huge hill in the back of the school usually a hit for sledding.

Today? Not at all.

It had warmed up a few days before, but got cold again, and the entire hill was practically ice. The sun was out, but wasn't helping much. The top of the hill was slush and it soaked into my shoes; cold and wet. I forgot a coat in the rush of getting to the hill and the cold soaked right through my favorite red sweatshirt. I pulled up my hood, and hugged my middle as I turned back to the brothers.

Gerard rolled his eyes, lifting up one of the black plastic sleds, carefully avoiding the sharp edges at the front. "You're lame Mikey, it's going to be fine. And fun!" He grinned big, eyes closing as he did so. "We haven't done this since we were kids."

I watched him pull on the sunglasses he had perched on top of his head; the same ones I saw him wearing the first day I met him. He set the piece of plastic down at the edge of the hill and sat down in it. He pulled his coat closer, the buttons on the thing still broken, and turned to salute us.

And he was gone, yelling like a four-year-old as he flew down the slick hill.

When he finally stopped at the bottom, he hopped up and gave us the thumbs up, screaming "Get your asses in those sleds!"

I heard Mikey sigh from beside me, but he was smiling. "He's really twenty-one, not six."

I laughed and waved as Mikey grabbed a hold of his own sled, and slid down after his brother. I snorted as Mikey's hat flew off half way down the hill, and then he flipped to the side as he had turned to try to catch it. I had to sit down because I thought I might fall down the hill from laughing so hard.

I lounged in the last sled and waited for the two to make it back up the hill, pointing and laughing as they struggled to find their footing on the way up.

"That fucking sucked!" Mikey whined as he collapsed into his sled next to me, gripping his hat in one hand, wiping his other on his pants.

Gerard sounded out of breath when he spoke, breathing heavily and leaning one arm against his knee to catch his breath. "That was fun, what are you talking about!?"

My shoulders shook as I pushed Mikey's head to the side. My sled moved slightly with the motion, closer to the hill, and Gerard took the initiative to pull me towards him. "Your turn."

I shook my head violently, trying to use my feet to stop him from bringing me closer to the hill, but to no avail.

"Suck it up Frank! I had to go, so now you have to go, too!" Mikey teased from behind me, and I snatched up a bit of slushy snow to toss over my shoulder, hoping to hit him. His snort told me that I missed.

"See you at the bottom," Gerard laughed from behind me, and with that he gave my sled a push.

The wind burned my face and my knuckles went numb from gripping the side of the sled. I grinned as I felt myself come to a stop, spinning sideways. I shook my hands, wringing them together to try and get the feeling back into them, but Gerard's voice made me look up.

That broken sled was coming straight in my direction, and even with Gerard's heels digging into the ground, it wasn't slowing him down whatsoever.

My eyes widened as I tried to scramble out of the way, but the icy ground wasn't letting me move an inch. I squeezed my eyes shut, and the last thing I heard was Gerard's scream and the crunching sound of plastic.

++

My head was pounding the second I realized I was awake. The right side of my body felt like it was on fire, and whoever I was currently laying on wasn't helping it feel any better.

I heard Mikey's voice, shrill and broken up. "No--I can't! I can't fucking carry him! I'll--I'll drop him or something!” followed by what sounded like a car door being shut, and then another opening. Cold wind filtered in from behind me causing me to shiver, teeth chattering as my wet clothing clung to my body.

"Mikey! Quit being a god damned pansy and help me!" Gerard voiced; I could literally feel the rumble of his voice vibrating within his chest, considering my face was pressed up against his freezing cold jacket. His volume was hushed, as though I was still out cold.

I felt him slip his arm under my knees, the other going around my upper back, fingers gripping my damp sleeve. I was content in the position; pressure off of my side, but as I felt him turn his body towards the open door, the hand that was around my back slipped down to wrap around my middle; his hand gripping out of instinct to keep me from slipping off of his lap. That small touch to my right side sent a huge shock throughout the rest of my body, and I tensed up dramatically.

My eyes shot open as they began to water, my head snapping backwards as I whimpered in pain.

"Jesus--Frank? Frankie--what's wrong?" Gerard's quiet tone disappeared, and I really wished the two brothers would stop talking so loud when my head felt like it was going to explode. I tried to keep my face as calm as I could; tried to make it look like I wasn't in as much pain as I actually was.

My face must have been pretty believable, because he gave me the faintest of smiles before gripping my side once again.

I let out a yelp, my hand that wasn't tucked between Gerard and myself flew to his to tear it away from my body.

His eyes were wide and his mouth hung slightly open; startled and surprised. "Oh Jesus--Frank I'm so sorry! I'm sorry--Mikey! Mikey help him or s-something!"

The poor guy had to clue what to do.

"Frank?"

I took a deep breath before turning my head ever-so-slightly from my sideways position on Gerard's lap, and opened my eyes to look up at Mikey's timid face. Without Gerard's hand pressing into my side, I was content. But as I felt Mikey grab both of my hands, tearing away the one that was practically crushing Gerard's, gripping tightly; the content feeling was gone.

I winced and pushed my face into Gerard's freezing jacket once again as I felt him shift so my legs dangled out the car door. Gerard shifted forward further so my feet touched the ground, and by then I really wanted to scream at him to stop moving, because I didn't know how much more of this I could take.

Mikey gripped my hands tighter when I let out a questionably high-pitched groan, favoring leaning to my left, while Gerard's arm moved from my lower back to around my shoulders. My eyes were squeezed shut as I felt him rest his forehead on the side of my head that wasn't killing me, just like he did on New Years Eve. I leaned into his touch, wanting him to move back into the car, and just let me sit still.

"I'm so sorry Frankie," Gerard mumbled in my ear. "So fucking sorry."

Mikey's voice had Gerard moving his face away; Gerard's arm pushing my body forward slightly. His body had been keeping mine as warm as it could, which wasn't much; but when he shifted so I was only sitting on his leg, his body behind mine with both hands on my lower back, I began to shake from the new temperature.

Where did my sweatshirt go?

"Frank? Okay--I'm just going to pull you out fast, alright?" He smiled quickly, re-gripping my hands as he held the door open with his hip. "It's probably going to hurt--and I'm sorry about that, but I think it's the least painful way to get you out." He paused again, face screwed up in worry. "Don't be mad if I hurt you, okay?"

I bit my lip and closed my eyes. My chin was quivering and my teeth were clacking together, but I couldn't tell if it was because of the cold, or because I suddenly felt like bawling like a baby. I nodded quickly, my teeth clamping down that much more; just enough to keep me from screaming bloody murder.

Mikey's palms were sweaty as he re-gripped my body once more, mumbling a "Three, two, one" and pulled as Gerard pushed from behind.

The spot right between my ribs and hip felt like it was on fire as I crashed into Mikey's skinny body. Biting my lip before had no affect now as I screamed out in pain, pushing my face into his neck. My left arm on the good side of my body looped up and around the back of his neck, holding me upright on wobbly legs. His own arm was wrapped around my left side, pulling me away from the car and further up his driveway.

Even with my eyes squeezed shut, I could feel my head spinning; and Mikey shouting in my ear wasn't helping at all. "Fuck--Frank? I'm sorry! Are you alright? Shit--" My legs fell out from underneath me as I felt my stomach lurch; my knees connecting with the ground before Mikey could catch me. His question was answered when I spilled the contents of my stomach all over his driveway.

I heard his sharp intake of breath, even over all the noise I was making, and through half-closed eyelids, could see him move away and back to the car. Mikey was one of those people that couldn't stand being around people that were sick; he would instantly feel sick himself. I found that out last year when I got sick in biology. He left me all alone with the nurse until my Mom came and got me.

My side continued to burn as I heaved once again. I guessed the pain was making me throw up, rather then the cold pizza Mikey and I ate this morning. It could have been a good mixture of both, though.

"Mikey, run to the store. Get crackers and Ginger ale or something," Gerard spoke as I felt his hand rest on my back once again. I heard Mikey whine, but Gerard's "Go!" had him slamming the door behind him and backing out of the driveway.

My throat stung, but my stomach was finally deciding to stay put. My mouth tasted horrible and for how disgusting it sounded, I could feel access bile and spit drip from my lips. I groaned, lifting my hands up from the ground; frozen and covered in snow. I let them rest on my thighs, slapping them lightly to try and get the feeling back.

"Frank? You're not going to throw up again, are you?"

I had begun breathing through my mouth rather then my nose and had closed my eyes; the sight and smell of my former breakfast not all that appealing. I shook my head 'no' and leaned my body back to rest on my haunches; my body shaking from the cold once again. The angle helped my side a bit, but favored leaning to my left against Gerard.

"Here," Gerard spoke, dropping a piece of damp fabric into my lap, using part of it to wipe my mouth. My eyes slid open to find the sweatshirt I had been wearing; ripped and battered against my legs. I looked up at him next to me, my eyes questioning, but he just smiled sadly. "Let's go inside, Frankie. I'll let you know what happened."

He looped his arm under my arms, mumbling a "Sorry" when I winced as he pulled me up. His other arm went back under my knees, lifting me into his arms. I cradled the torn sweatshirt, careful to avoid where I had wiped my mouth as we made it in to the house and toward the bathroom.

The heat of the house warmed my frozen skin, and I was relieved that Mrs. Way wasn't home; she would get worked up, and call my Mom. I really didn't want that.

Gerard grunted slightly as he lifted me up onto the counter, flicking the light on next to the sink.

"Shit, it looks worse here," he said, raising his hand to the right side of my head so he could move my damp hair out of the way. I flinched when he touched a sensitive spot, and he pulled back quickly.

"Sorry, Frankie. You were bleeding pretty badly on the way home. I used that to keep it from bleeding everywhere," he motioned to the sweatshirt in my lap. He looked up to see my eyes wide and quickly shook his head. "It's not bleeding now! No--it's fine now. I just need to clean it. Your side too. It wasn't bleeding as bad though."

I turned my upper half as much as possible, lifting my right arm just a bit to see a dark red splotch on my grey shirt. I whimpered as I reached for the bottom of my shirt, but having no luck getting it up with my right arm blocking the way.

"Hold on," Gerard rushed, pushing my hand away and going for the bathroom door. He stopped in the doorway, turning around and moving back over to me. "Are you fine here? You're not going to like, fall or anything?" His eyes darted all over my face, and I shook my head. He nodded and ran out of the room.

I had to smile slightly as I leaned back against the mirror on the wall behind me.

He cares.

Slamming drawers came from the room across the hall; from Mikey's room. I went to lean forward to see what Gerard was doing, but he was back in the room quicker then I could sit up straight. He was carrying a pair of Mikey's boxers and a plain black shirt. He held up the boxers and laughed. "I think these are clean. They were in his drawer, but you never know."

I smiled; too afraid that laughing would hurt my side and watched him fumble through the cabinets under the sink. He pulled out a small plastic box along with a bottle of green liquid. Unscrewing the lid, he poured a bit into it and passed it my way.

"Mouthwash," he said with a smile.

I reached for it greedily, throwing it into my mouth and swooshing it around quickly. It burned, but it sure as hell tasted a lot better then puke.

I spit it into the sink to my left, rinsing the top out before handing it back. I nodded in thanks.

He smiled.

Setting the bottle aside, he opened the plastic container, pulling out another bottle and some cotton balls. I groaned, knowing what it was and how much it was going to sting.

Gerard laughed, squirting a bit of the cleaning fluid onto the cotton ball over the sink, before standing right in front of me. The counter wasn't that big, and my butt barely fit on the thing, so I didn't find it necessary for him to push himself between my legs to reach the side of my head.

I was close enough beforehand.

And he made me scoot forward, away from the mirror and practically right up against him. I stared at my legs that rested right against his hips, and oh my god, why is he so close?

"Turn your head," he mumbled, shifting my hair away from the cut on the side of my head when I did so. His breathing was calm and even, unlike mine. "Calm down," he chuckled, his breath warming my still frozen skin. "It won't hurt that bad."

He pressed the cotton ball to my wound, using his other hand to keep my chin up and to the side. I jerked away from the sting, my own hands reaching out and gripping the front of his shirt. I whined when he held my head in place; his breathing low and quiet as he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry, Frankie."

My feet started a continued beat against the cabinet doors, trying to distract myself as Gerard wiped more disinfectant to the side of my head.

"There," he said, setting aside another cotton ball, reaching for the plastic box once more, but not leaving his place between my legs.

Oh my...

He ripped open a band aid, carefully pressing it to the cut, trying to avoid as much hair as possible.

"Alright, now your side," he spoke, resting his hands on either side of my legs on the counter top. I leaned back slightly; his face now closer to my own. Gerard smiled before leaning back again and moving his hands to the bottom of my shirt. He lifted the left side, allowing me to slip my arm through, before pulling it over my head. Moving carefully to my right side, he slipped the shirt off of my body and let it drop to the floor. I watched his eyes linger on my side, frowning slightly before reaching for the disinfectant once again.

I took the chance to look down at my side, grimacing as the bright red line ran horizontal, surrounded by a huge black and blue bruise. Gerard let a breath out through his nose, setting the supplies down next to my leg.

"Frankie, you know I'm sorry right?" He paused, waiting for me to nod and turn my head towards him before continuing. "The sled hit you in the side before I could stop it, I swear. It ended up ripping your sweatshirt and cutting you pretty bad." He winced and looked down at the damage, giving me just the right amount of time to smile at the comment of the bright red sweatshirt as being mine. He looked back up at me, smiling slightly again. "Your head snapped down and hit the ground, which is why your head was bleeding so bad. I'm never sledding on fucking ice again."

I let out a small laugh, leaning to the left when it began to burn.

"I'm sorry I made you go down the hill."

I shook my head, waving my hand as to say "Stop". He smiled again, pushing my hand down and looking at me sternly. "Seriously, I am. Really sorry Frankie--"

I groaned, but still smiled as I nodded as if saying "I know, you've said it a million times already."

He leaned forward quickly, resting his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. My breath caught in my throat as he did this, much like it did on New Years right before he had kissed me. Gerard opened his mouth, letting "So sorry" fall from his lips before I held my breath and moved forward, pushing my lips to the spot right beside his mouth.

I pulled back quickly; my face burning a bright shade of red as I smiled at his wide eyes. I mouthed the words "I know" before he yanked me forward into a hug, laughing like nobody’s business.

I couldn't help but join.