Three Cheers

Gerard took in a deep breath and squeezed my hand; "George would give dad money to spend 2 hours with me. $200."

Mikey and I just looked at Gerard, awaiting more of this traumic words.

"For 2 hours he would..." Gerard paused and hung his head. Tears swelled up in my eyes and I hugged him; "I was only 14," he sobbed clearly as he held me, "I begged him to stop."

I hugged Gerard tightly, not listening as he kept talking. He kept telling us all the things that sick man did to him. He would beat Gerard and he would touch him in ways a man should never touch a child. I didn't want to hear it anymore, I wanted to take away those memories. I didn't want Gerard to have to live with the knowledge that his father let his friend harm him.

"I'm sorry, Gee," Mikey said over the soft sobbing, "I didn't know... Dad said... He said you were helpin' him out at his place. I thought the bruises..."

Gerard kept his face hidden in my chest, his arms tight around me. I rubbed his back and kissed his head, "It's okay, Gerard," I sniffed the tears away, "It's alright."

Mikey hung his head and placed his face in his palms. I looked back at Gerard and squeezed him tightly, "I'm sorry." I told him.

"I kept telling him to stop. He would tell my dad. My dad wouldn't stop hitting me. I begged. Even when I left, he came after me. Even after I met you," he sobbed as he looked up at me, "I begged, October. He never listened to me."

I never knew this. I never had even a hint that the abuse was so bad. My husband covered this up with booze and drugs, and even after, he needed that stuff to take his mind away. 

I kissed his salty lips, the tears rubbing on my face too, "It's okay. It's okay, I still love you."

He swallowed harder, "You swear?"

I nodded sadly, "I would never ever stop loving you, Gerard. I swear and promise on my life."

He held back and sob and buried his face into my chest again. I looked at Mikey and saw him wiping away tears. This was such a horrible secret that we had to hear, but it isn't as bad has having to have it live in your head; Gerard has to live with it, and I plan on helping Gerard get through it as much as I can.

"I didn't know, Gee," Mikey said again, his voice scratchy from the emotion, "I swear, I didn't know about any of it. I just thought dad was a hard ass, I didn't know he did that to you because of George."

Gerard shook his head, sitting up, but keeping his arm around me, "I know, Mikes. It's alright. You see why I can't let my baby around him? I don't trust him."

Mikey nodded, "I understand. Are you gonna tell mom?"

Gerard shrugged, "I'll lose it if I do. I don't think she'll believe me."

"What if I tell her?" he asked meekly, "I mean, I... I don't know," he sputtered.

"I'll try to. Just be there."

"What about dad?"

Gerard tensed, "Him too."

I felt my heart beat rapidly, "Are you sure about that, Gerard?"

He looked at me, his eyes hard and hot with anger, "I'm sure. I'm gonna tell him everything."

I cupped his hot cheek, rubbing away the tears with my thumb, "Okay. Whatever is best." I kissed his cheek.


As soon as Busy had come back, she came and wrapped herself up in a blanket and crawled into Gerard's lap. You could see the happiness illuminate in his eyes; it was beautiful. 

"I miss you," she said to him, "I sleep here." 

Gerard chuckled, "You can sleep on my lap, Biz."

She hummed softly and stuck her thumb into her mouth. Gerard held her as they watched a movie on Frank's couch. I went to the kitchen to make Busy a bottle so she wouldn't suck her thumb.

Frank gave me a look when I entered, "Is Gee cool?"

I nodded, "He's okay."

"He look a little... Lost, you know what I mean?"

"He's just upset about seeing his dad," I explained shortly, "But he's fine. We're leaving tomorrow evening."

Frank frowned, "Already? I was having fun with BB."

I laughed softly, "Don't worry. You guys will be back in LA soon."

He tweaked his lips, "Oh yeah, we gotta meet with our managers to talk about the album and tour."

I frowned, "Shit, I forgot about that." I mixed Busy's bottle, "I'm glad you guys aren't leaving before Halloween."

Frank grinned, "Me and B are gonna get cake and go trick-r-treating!"

I smiled too, "You and my kid are attach at the hip."

"She is my wife." he smirked.

I rolled my eyes, "Oh, yeah, I totally forgot."

Frank patted my back, "Sure you did, mom."

I slugged his arm, "Ha, ha, aren't you funny, Frank."

"I was kidding, October."

"Anyway," I stated with another roll of my eyes, "Tomorrow afternoon, you'll watch B?"

"Always up to watch B. Why?"

"We're gonna go see Gerard's parents again." I exhaled, "It's only for a bit before we catch our flight."

Frank nodded, "Cool, I'll take her to the indoor aquarium. We're expecting rain tomorrow."

"Thanks."

"No problem."


Again, we arrived at Frank's, ready to drop off Busy. She was happy to go with Frank, they always had fun because he lets her go the things Gerard and I wouldn't let her. Like buy her stuff she didn't need an have ice cream. It isn't bad, I don't think, he is the big brother she can't have. We were lucky for Frank, or otherwise, she'd have to hear the things we want to avoid.

Gerard set Busy down, "I love you." he told her as he fixed the hat on her head.

She giggles, "I love you, daddy."

"Be good," I told her, "Have fun, too. Love you." I kissed her forehead.

"Mama, you gets lip stuff on me!" she cried.

I laughed and wiped away the lip gloss off her forehead, "There it's gone."

"Thank you." she smiled again.

Frank picked her, "We'll be good. I'm gonna spoil the mess out of her because she's gonna leave me until Halloween."

Busy hugged him, "We has fun!"

"Yep." Frank kissed her cheek.

Gerard took my hand, "We'll be back by 5, Frank, don't worry."

He laughed, "Not worried, buddy. I love spending time with B."

"Thanks again, too." Gerard kissed Busy's forehead, "See you later."

Busy waved as he headed out the door, "Bye mama, bye daddy."

I waved back, "Bye, be good."

Gerard led the way out and to the car. Once in, he licked his lips, hesitantly starting the car; "No matter what happens, make sure he doesn't come near me."

I took his hand again, "I won't."

"I mean it, October. I will kill him if he's in reach."

I knew he meant those words.