Plaid Skirts and Handcuffs

Chapter 13

I was shutting my locker, heading to where Bob was waiting.

“Hey,” he said.

I nodded at him, leaning against the wall. I ran a hand through my hair before fixing it again into the little swoop.

“What's up, losers?” Pete asked, Brendon by his side.

“How much longer until school’s over?” Brendon asked.

“One hour left,” I replied tiredly.

I noticed Gee walking down the hall, oblivious to us standing here.

“Hey, come here,” I said.

“Why?” Pete asked.

“Because I said so, that's why,” I stated.

I lead them around the corner, away from Ge before they noticed him.

“Alright, why are we here?” Bob asked.

“That hall had a draft and I didn't like it,” I lied.

Pete rolled his eyes. “God, you're such a whiner. You always have been ever since we were kids.”

“I am not!” I exclaimed, hitting his arm.

“Whatever,” Pete muttered. “Anyways, the bell is about to ring so we should head to class.”

“Pete going to class, that's a first,” Brendon teased. “Why do you wanna go anyways?”

“No reason,” Pete said. “Just don't feel like hanging out with you losers.”

We laughed as he walked to his class which was nearby. When he opened the door, I noticed Mikey already sitting in the classroom before he stepped in and shut it behind him.

“Alright, fine, I guess I'll go too,” I said.

I headed off towards my journalism class, which was my last hour of the day. This class was an easy A which is the only reason I took it. Gee was sitting in his seat when I got into the room. I sat in the back, ignoring his wave.

“We have a new assignment for this weekend for the school’s soccer game,” the teacher said. “We need a photographer and a writer.”

Gee’s hand went up, a blush on his cheeks. “C-can I please be the photographer, sir?”

“Of course,” Mr. Ackerson said. “Who wants to work with Gee?”

Nobody raised their hands and Gee looked sad. Clearly, people would work on the assignment but nobody wanted to be with Gee.

“C’mon, people,” Mr. Ackerson urged.

Gee looked over at me pleadingly but I ignored him. Someone else raised their hand.

“I'll do it with him,” Bert offered.

“Great, I'll talk to you more later after I finish speaking,” the teacher said.

Gee gave Bert a grateful smile, one that Bert returned.

“Alright, it's a Friday so let's take this all at ease,” Mr. Ackerson said. “Just finish the projects you were working on and that's all. Gee and Bert, come speak to me.”

I went over to one of the computers on the wall, signing in and going to the thing I had been writing. I read over it, editing mistakes. I saw Bert and Gee sit down next to each other, talking about who knows what.

“Hey, you got a pencil I can borrow?” The girl next to me asked.

“No,” I replied honestly.

She turned to ask someone else and I looked back at the two. Bert was leaning in, saying something that made Gee giggle and blush. I scowled at them and turned back to the screen. Soon enough, class ended. I got up, walking past them.

“No PDA,” I said sourly, not even looking at the two.

I stepped out of the classroom, walking down the hall when I heard little feet catching up to me.

“Are you mad at me?” Gee asked nervously.

“Why would I be mad? You can talk to whoever you want,” I said emotionlessly.

“But you sound mad at me,” Gee pouted sadly. “Maybe you can come over later?”

“I would rather be skinned,” I replied.

“B-but--”

“Gee, we aren't friends, I'm not working for your father anymore so there is no reason for me to talk to you or go over to your house anymore,” I stated.

I noticed Pete and Bob started to walk towards our way, not seeming to notice us yet.

“You should go,” I advised. “Go with Bert or something, I don't really give a shit.”

He sniffled, turning and hurrying away. I walked up to my two friends.

“Party tonight at a local campus?” Bob asked.

“Have I ever said no to a party?” I replied.

Pete smirked. “Great, meet at my house later at six.”

“‘Kay, see you guys then,” I said.

They both mumbled goodbyes and I walked out of the school. I headed to my car, driving off to the oh so dreary hospital. The receptionist greeted me when I walked in. I gave her a small wave and headed up to my mom’s room.

“Frankie,” she cooed when I walked in.

She seemed really happy, a smile spread wide across her face.

“Hey, mamma,” I greeted with a chuckle.

“How's my boy?” She asked.

“I'm fine,” I replied. “You always ask that but I just want to know about you.”

“Great news!” She chirped. “They said I seem to be doing better!”

I felt my heart stop.

“W-what?” I asked in shock.

“They said I'm starting to get better and maybe I can get out of here in a few months!” She exclaimed.

I hurried over, throwing myself into her open arms.

“Mamma, that's great,” I whispered. “f**k, you can actual get out of here.”

“I would totally call you out for swearing but I'm just so happy right now,” she said.

I laughed, pulling say. I sat onto the chair beside her bed, smiling happily.

“I can't believe this is finally happening,” I said.

“After all this time being in this goddamn hell hole I'll finally get out,” she said.

“Who's swearing now?” I teased.

“I'm allowed to I'm your mother,” she joked.

I laughed, holding onto her hand. Usually our conversations aren't this happy. Usually there's an underlying sadness about the elephant in the room.

“So, anyone new to date?” She asked.

“No, mamma, you're the only person I want to focus on in my life right now,” I said with a smile.

She pinched my cheek, making me blush and seat her hand away. My mom laughed, clearly just trying to tease me. The door opened and the nurse, Sarah, came in.

“We have your food, do you think you can keep it down this time?” Sarah asked.

“Of course, I know how to swallow,” she said.

My eyes went wide and I choked, turning to look at her.

“Mother!” I exclaimed.

“Well, what do you think your father and I did?” She asked.

“Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew,” I muttered, standing up and covering my ears. “That's gross, mamma, don't say that. What the f**k, gross.”

I hurried out of the room as the two women laughed at me. I blanched at the images in my head, sitting down in one of the seats.

“You alright, sweetheart?” Someone asked. “You look as though you've seen a ghost.”

I looked up at the girl who sat on the couch beside me, connecting to a rolling stand full of all sorts of medical things that connected wires to her body. She looked kind and in her early twenties. She wore what I assumed to be a wig, seeing as this was the cancer ward. It was curly with bangs, half black and half blonde. She wore dark lipstick and had on a tank top with the British flag a pair of black skinny jeans and black boots.

“Just some disturbing thoughts,” I replied.

“Ah, seems like everyone has those around here,” she said. “I'm Melanie.”

“Frank,” I introduced.

She smiled. “It's very nice to meet you, Frank. You visiting someone here?”

“No, I just make it a habit to hang around cancer wards,” I said sarcastically and she laughed. “Okay, I'm actually just visiting my mom.”

“Oh, I'm sorry,” she replied.

“It's okay, she's getting better and they said she might get out soon,” I said.

Her eyes lit up and she smiled. “That's so good! Oh, I'm glad for the both of you. You must be ecstatic.”

“I am,” I confirmed. “Are you getting out of here any time soon?”

“Eh, I wouldn't hold my breath,” she replied. “I've had leukemia since I was 17 and they've been trying to fight it ever since.”

“s**t, sorry, now I kinda feel like an ass for getting so happy over my mom,” I said. “Well, if you are able to walk around and stuff then maybe you're good and can get out soon.”

She shrugged. “Maybe you're right. God, I would love to leave this place, it's like a prison.”

“I bet,” I muttered. “You have friends here?”

“Sort of?” She said, but it sounded more like a question. “Well, I'm the youngest one here so sometimes it's hard to connect with others. Although, I do play cards with Doug sometimes.”

She pointed to an old man who seemed to be in his eighties across the room. He noticed and waved, which Melanie returned with a smile and small wave.

“He's nice, although sometimes he has hallucinations,” she said. “Not bad though, a lot of the times it’s funny. One time he was convinced I was actually his granddaughter who's, like, seven months pregnant. Yeah, that'll never happen.”

“You don't want kids?” I asked.

“It's not that I don't want kids, I just can't have any,” Melanie explained. “Chemo usually leaves the person infertile so the chances of me being able to have children are pretty slim.”

“Oh I didn't know that,” I replied. “I'm sorry. I guess my mother never told me because it was never an issue. I mean, I'm already eighteen and having another child would be a little weird. Besides, she doesn't have anyone to have children with. At least I hope not.”

“Your dad?” She asked.

“He died overseas when I was younger,” I said. “He was in the marines.”

“Well, at least he died for a good cause,” she said.

“Yeah, died fighting for the country,” I said. “He's my hero, actually. My inspiration for practically everything I do.”

“That's really nice,” Melanie said. “That's kind of like me and my older sister, she's a designer for a fashion company she made. She makes a lot of money, she's actually the one who pays most of my medical bills.”

“Bonus of having a rich sister,” I joked.

She giggled and I couldn't help but laugh at her cute smile.

“As much as I'd love to talk, I should probably get back to my mom,” I said.

“Alright, I guess I'll talk to you later?”

“Definitely.”