Best Friends Means you Pull the Trigger

Seventeen


Gerald waited for Ray at Sandra’s until 10 pm, but he never made it back. His house was dark when he walked in, for a minute he thought there was no one home, and a cold fear ran down his body. As his eyes readjusted to the darkness, he saw his mother’s figure sitting by the window. Gerald approached her, but she barely acknowledge his presence, and kept a glazed look out the window.

Her eyes were red and there were tear marks rolling down her cheeks. She used her sleeve to wipe them away and tried to give Gerald a smile. She stood up and took his hand, leading him towards the couch, where a few hours ago, Albert had sat.

“What’s wrong?” Gerald asked in a shaky voice. Everything had been just too good, too good to last.

Nina shook her head, with her hand she reached for Gerald, but only allowed one of her fingers to trace his cheek. “Nothing is wrong,” she finally said. Her hand dropped to her lap. “Remember sometime ago, you asked me why I had chosen Gerald as your name?”

“You said you didn’t choose it.”

Nina nodded while trying to find her voice, trying to keep the tears away. “You were my baby Gerald, and I know I haven’t been the best mom, but know that I love you so very, very much. When I found out I was pregnant it was a shock, but a good shock. I was so lonely and it felt like a gift.” Gerald hugged his mother and once more asked what was wrong. “Your father was leaving for college, he could have chosen one nearby, but…back then I didn’t understand, but he chose the best college for himself. He wasn’t abandoning me, but that’s what it felt like to me.”

“Did he know about me?” Nina nodded yes, and Gerald’s face fell.

“We had a fight and broke up; this was before I knew about you. When I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t tell him, but his mom found out. She didn’t know it was his, but still told him, he…I denied it. I told him you weren’t his, because I didn’t want to lose you, I didn’t want to be alone again.” Nina broke down to tears again, “I’m so sorry.”

Gerald took her into his arms, “its ok mom.”

Nina shook her head, “No, it isn’t. You could have had a better life. I was scared…when he said I shouldn’t have you, I panicked. Then years later when he came back, I was afraid he’d take you away. I’m so sorry, I’ve been so selfish.”

“Who is he?”

Nina took a deep breath and a few seconds to answer, “Albert Harrison.”

Gerald stared at her, the name sounding too familiar to him. “Harrison, as in Mrs. Harrison…are they related?”

“Her son, Albert, you know him.”

“Mrs. Harrison, is my grandmother?” Gerald asked in awe. It was the best news he could ever receive. The name of his father suddenly seemed unimportant, because the woman who had loved and cared for him like a grandmother WAS his grandmother.

“Yes,” Nina answered.

“Does she know?” Nina shook her head no. Gerald wanted to run out and hug her and tell her, but Nina stopped him. It was Albert’s job to let her know the truth.

Gerald and Nina talked for a long time; questions were answered, explanations given. There were lots of tears, hugs and forgiveness. Nina’s fears were eliminated by Gerald, who promised to always be there for her, “After all, mom, you’re the best mother I’ve ever had.”


It was almost one in the morning when Nina and Gerald finally went to bed. Gerald was confused, a bit hurt, but overall happy, because he’d always wished to have a grandmother like Mrs. Harrison. He wondered if she’d like him to call her grandma, even quietly practiced it. He couldn’t wait to tell Michael about this, with his phone in hand he wondered if it was too late. He put the phone down, but the excitement was just too much. He decided to call; he didn’t think Michael would mind, too much.

Michael’s phone went straight to voice mail, and Gerald hung up without leaving a message. It was often that Michael didn’t answer his phone calls; he was probably busy and would call him back in few minutes, or hey it was late, he was probably asleep. Gerald fell asleep half-hoping to be woken up by his phone.

-

Ray didn’t have a thought out plan when he left Sandy’s; he didn’t have a plan at all. The thing was he needed to confront Michael; Ray, quite frankly, was tired of whatever game the kid was playing. If punching Michael didn’t mean trouble for Ray, he would have done it long ago.

Michael, Frank and the girls were leaving the coffee shop when Ray arrived. Ray parked his bike across from Michael’s car; where there was no chance the blond could miss him.

Michael laughed, his arm curled around the girl’s waist as he walked towards his car, trailed by Frank and the other girl. It was totally priceless how that smile fled Michael’s face when he saw Ray leaning against his motorcycle.

His arm twitched, but he didn’t move it away from the girl. He looked down at her, smile back in place, and then looked back at Frank. Ray crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes set on Michael, a clear threat in them.

Michael pulled the girl closer and whispered something in her ear before turning them both around to face Frank.

“Umm, keep her company for bit, okay?”

Frank looked puzzled, but agreed. He watched how Michael straightened his shoulders before approaching the guy by the motorcycle. The girls asked who the cutie was, and Frank gave his girlfriend a “warning” look.

“Hello, Michael.”

“Ray.”

They were both silently sizing each other up and waiting for the other’s reaction. Ray was tense, his jaw set, and fists tight.

“Who is your friend there?”

“She… is none of your business.” Michael said; his defensiveness not helping his case.

“Perhaps,” Ray shrugged. “But I’m sure Gerald would be interested.”

“And why would that be?” Michael asked pushing his hands into his pockets. “I don’t believe he has much interest in girls.”

Ray laughed a disgusted laugh. He couldn’t believe Michael.

“Gerald doesn’t need you.”

Michael clenched his hand into a fist. “He is my best friend. He needs me and you are never going to have him. You and no one else, because he is mine.”

“He is not a possession,” Ray growled out. “He isn’t yours or anybody else’s. What you are doing to him is low and sick. Stay away from him Michael, or so help me God…”

“So help you God what?” Michael yelled, but looked back at his friends and tried hard to compose himself, turning down his voice to barely a whisper. “You can’t touch me; I’m a minor and you can’t touch Gerald, because he is a minor too, and trust me Ray, I’ll be running to the police the minute one of your disgusting hands touches him.”

Ray shook his head, “You don’t scare me. Stay away from Gerald, because he is too good for you. I’ll take a night in prison over you breaking his heart.”

-

Gerald woke up late. He still felt tired, but excitement was bubbling inside him. He picked his cell phone up, and was a bit disappointed to see there were no missed calls. He dialed Michael again, but like the night before, the call went straight to voicemail. Gerald dropped his phone on the bed and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day. He had to be at work by three.

Nina had made breakfast for him, and though the toast was slightly burnt, everything was delicious. Gerald couldn’t remember the last time his mom had made breakfast for him.

Sitting across from Gerald, Nina drank some coffee; she was rather silent; just watching her son eat. Gerald placed a lot of butter on his toast; he didn’t want to make his mom feel bad by not eating it.

Nina nervously looked at him. She was starting to make him uncomfortable.

“What?” Gerald asked, sipping some milk and coffee.

“Are…are we ok?”

Gerard was surprised by the question, and looked up into his mom’s scared eyes.

“Of course we are.” He stood up and hugged her against his chest while kissing her blond hair. “We are better than ever.”

“I don’t know what I ever did to deserve a son like you. I don’t know how you turned out so great after having a mom like me.”

Gerald kissed his mom’s head once more. He didn’t have an answer for her, this is just who he had to be, he had to take care of her. He always knew she loved him and he loved her.

Going back to his place at the table, Gerald picked up his toast, about to take a bite of it when his mom’s voice stopped him. “I know it’s burnt; you don’t have to eat.”

“It’s just a little dark.” Gerald replied.

“Yeah?” Nina asked, “Is that why you smothered it with butter?”

Gerald blushed, putting the toast down, “It is burnt.”

“I know, thanks for trying to eat it anyway. Were the eggs any good at least?”

“They were great.”

Nina smiled, and took the plates from the table to the kitchen. Gerald offered to wash them but she turned him down; he had to get ready for work.

Dressed for work and about to leave the house, Gerald looked at his mom.

“About Mrs. Harrison?”

“Albert will talk to her today.”

Gerald kissed her and left to work.

-

It wasn’t a busy day at the coffee shop, the sun was bright and the surf was perfect. People were out enjoying the beach, and he was bored, stuck cleaning behind the counter. Then after what felt like forever, the bell over the door jingled. Gerald gave a fake smile that turned into a real grin when he saw it was Ray.

“You look rather happy today.”

“I am”.

“Why is that?”

Gerald filled Ray in on everything, as fast as he could.

“That is rather awesome.” Ray hugged Gerald over the counter. “That Albert guy was staring at you a lot the other day. Huh, so what happens now?”

“I don’t know.” Gerald hadn’t thought that far. Not about Albert, or how he was supposed to act with him. Was he supposed to call him dad now? Were they supposed to talk? Is he supposed to feel something for him? Gerald was so happy about Mrs. Harrison, he hadn’t stopped to think about Albert.

Ray stayed with Gerald until the end of his shift, and then drove him home.

Nina was looking at the job listings when they walked into the apartment. Ray was happy to see how much better she looked. He wondered how she was feeling, and if they had seen the doctor recently, but kept quiet. He didn’t want to bring Gerald down. He hadn’t even mentioned Michael, though he never planned to.

Ray left around five to get ready for a date he had that night. It was a guy he really liked, and didn’t want to be late. Gerald walked him to the elevator and hugged him.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Changing my life, Ray. Thanks.”

The elevator doors opened and Ray walked in. “Take care Gerald.”

-

The next day was a Sunday, and Mrs. Harrison invited Gerald and Nina over for lunch. Gerald had never seen his mother so nervous. It was almost like she was getting ready for a big date. She was running around choosing clothes, changing about ten times, putting on make-up and taking it off. Gerald laughed softly, “It’s just Mrs. Harrison, mom.”

“I know,” Nina said looking herself over in the mirror, “but it’s the first time she’s invited me over in a really long time. Plus…she probably already knows…”

She turned towards Gerald, who was now chewing on his lip. She moved across the room towards him, and put a soft hand on his cheek, “You have nothing to worry about.”

Gerald nodded, but still felt a tight knot in his stomach.

Mrs. Harrison hugged Gerald tighter than she had ever done before. Tears were rolling down her eyes as she planted a kiss on his cheek. He hugged her back, confused and relieved.

“I’ sorry bubba, I’m so sorry.” She cried without letting him go. “Had…oh my bubba.”

Gerald felt tears rolling down his eyes, as he hugged her back.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. Nothing at all, ever, you loved me even without knowing, Mrs. Harrison.” She seemed to cry more. “Grandma, please stop crying.”

Mrs. Harrison kissed Gerald once more before releasing him. “Your papa’s are idiots, my sweet boy.”

Gerald smiled as Mrs. Harrison let him into the house.

Mrs. Harrison and Nina had a chat in the kitchen, but Gerald didn’t hear what was said. All he knows is that they walked out drying tears up, and that the meal was one of the best he’d ever had, and not because the food was delicious, but because he felt like he had a family. He felt like a kid that maybe, just maybe, didn’t have to look after others all the time.
*~*~*

Thank you so much for the review, Quill, Toni, Cain, Escstaticfanatic!,eatmorefish.
Lisa hope your feeling better, and thanks for beta reading and reviewing.
I don't know if it was unclear but just in case Michael and Gerald have not broken up.