Half Dead

The following day, Frank had come over to watch a movie with me. My own parents left us alone while they spoke to Frank's mom. We sat in my living room, our backs against the couch, our butts on the floor and some popcorn and candy between us.

"I'm gonna go get some sodas," Frank told me before I pressed play.

I waited, my heart thudding with anticipation. Before Frank had shown up, my parents were asking about my seeing Dr. Neal again. I actually thought about it, and I want to see him again. I want to talk.

I want to be able to talk to Frank. I want to say his name. I often wonder how it would sound coming from my mouth. 

Frank came back; he sits beside me and hands me a soda. I look at it before setting it down; the label, I can't remember the last time I said Pepsi. 

"Violet, are you alright?" Frank puts his hand on my arm.

Goosebumps riddle my arms and I nod, but I grab my tablet; Do you want me to talk?

Frank gives me this quizzical look, "Well... Yeah, one day."

My parents want me to see Dr. Neal again; he's my speech therapist

"Oh..." Frank has this hidden look, "I'd love to hear your voice one day, you know, Violet."

He smiles now and I smile too; my cheeks grow hot. I swallow thickly and write; I want to, I want to say your name

I can't look at Frank because my nerves are shot and my stomach is coiled tightly. But, I feel his hand on my back, "I want to hear it too." he says softly, "I bet you have a sexy voice." he's joking now.

I finally look at him and roll my eyes. He hurriedly gives my cheek a peck and then wraps his arm around my middle. I suck in a breath and press play; it went over well.


It's Halloween and so far I have gone through 3 weeks of hard vocal therapy. Only Dr. Neal and my parents have heard me say a scatter of words. Most of them are hard, the Th's are the hardest.

My first day, I told Dr. Neal that I wanted to say Frank. He was skeptical, but helped. I finally got his entire name out the week before. This was going to be my second birthday present to him; the first is a gift card. I'm hoping he isn't too upset about my gifts.

I didn't think about wearing a costume to see him; he hadn't told me whether or not. I'm extremely nervous about tonight, I just want to have a good time with Frank. My dad is suppose to drop me off; we are going to watch movies while his mom is at work and I'm spending the night for the first night.

"Violet?" my dad knocks on my door frame, "Are you ready?"

I nod as I smooth my hair back; it's still short, but it's growing. I grab my overnight bag and follow my dad down the stairs. My mom smiles when she sees me, "Hey sweetie," she hugs me tightly, "Are you excited?"

I nod; I want to say yes, but I'm too nervous to remember my exercise.

She kisses my cheek, "I'm picking you guys up for pancakes tomorrow. Have fun."

I give her a thumbs up, my dad hugs her quickly and then I lead the way out. I'm so nervous my leg starts to bounce as soon as I get in the car. My dad chuckles, "You're nervous? How come?"

I grab my tablet; the thing is practically attached to my hip; I'm going to try and talk to Frank. I'm going to say his name

My dad laughs again, "Don't try and worry too much, even if you're too nervous to say your exercise, Frank'll understand."

My dad is right; Frank will understand. So far, he's been amazing when I always have to go to my therapy. He just doesn't know I'm working extremely hard to say his name. I work a headache into my head whenever I try and force the words from my throat. I really want to surprise him, since he has been such a great friend.

My dad pulls up in front of Frank's home right when he's seeing his mom to her car. Wheaty comes running to our car and barking happily; he likes me, he likes when I click my tongue and make this clock sound. I get out and pick him up; he smells like Frank, but a little doggier. I hike my bag up and follow my dad towards Ms. Iero and Frank; "My wife's here!" he jokes.

His mom taps his arm, "Very funny."

If it weren't for the simple fact that Frank has filled her in about the way I used to ignore him and told him that boys have used me in the past, I don't believe she'd let me stay over. She and my parents have both told us not to have sex -way before the idea of a sleepover- and we happily agreed and told them that it wasn't even fathomable. Frank and I aren't even that close to even wanting to have sex. I just want to kiss him all the time, that's it. His kisses are amazing.

Anyway, I hug Ms. Iero while my dad tells her the plan; mom is picking us up in the morning and taking to have pancakes and the mall. I hug my dad as he readies to leave, "Have fun, I'll see you tomorrow night." I nod and kiss his cheek.

My dad waves as he leaves, I wave back and then to Ms. Iero as she gets in her car; "Be good!" she warns us.

"We will!" Frank calls and waves.

Frank turns to me and takes my hand, "Let's go watch Halloween, shall we?"

I smile and follow him, juggling Wheaty and my bag. I set him down when we get inside and follow Frank to the living room; I take my shoes off and sit on the couch and open my bag; I hand him the envelope.

"Aw, thanks wifey," he says as he looks it over, "It better not be money. I'm the bread winner, remember?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. Frank opens the blue envelope and pulls out the card; it has Frankenstein's monster on it that says Happy Halloween. He laughs softly and opens it; I wrote Happy Birthday too Frankie, love Violet. The gift card to his favorite record store falls out and a big grin appears on his face.

He looks at me, "Thanks, Vi. This is awesome. You didn't have to, you know." he gives me a warm hug, "I'm gonna put this in a frame, I really dig it."

I feel nervous now as I grab my tablet and he looks over the gift card. I hold my breath and begin to write; Ive been practicing my vocal exercises and I want to try and say your name

I tap his arm and have him read my tablet. He says the words lowly, reading it to himself. His breath catches and he looks at me, "You can? You know how to?"

Ive been practicing

Frank grins again, "Really? How long?"

Since I started

His eyes grow wide, "Can you do it now?"

I bite my lip; Promise not to laugh if I sound horrid?

"Pinky promise," he grabs my hand and wraps his little finger around my own.

I take in a breath and shut my eyes. I know how it sounds when I say it, it doesn't sound like his name at all, but I hope he knows. I swallow another lump and open my mouth. I think of the exercise and force my throat; "Fer-ain-Kuh."

I keep my eyes shut and wait. I only open them when I feel Frank's lips against my own. I can't believe it, my head is bout ready to explode.

Frank pulls away, "Your voice is sexy."

I blush like a maniac.

"Can you say it again?" he asks with those big, hazel, hopeful eyes.

I nod and let it come naturally and less practical, "Fr-Ank."

He grins manically happily and hugs me. My heart is thudding with his. I like this idiot.