The Game (Frankie Iero ) 35

It’s hard to literally walk away from a good thing. And you were doing just that. Walking away/ but this time it wasn’t because you had to, not because you were being forced, not because it was for the greater good. It was because you wanted to and if you were going to do anything especially if you were to keep a promise you know that Adam would have your ass if you didn’t carry through.


You didn’t have clothes to pack. Well, nothing worth keeping.  The instruments along with the van and everyone else’s personal effects were sent back to jersey, to the label’s building. The van would be cleaned, and the clothes and other random objects sent to the people who they were survived by. You ended up throwing more stuff out then keeping. You laid there next to Frankie who was so supportive of you in front of the others but so upset he refused to talk to you. Let alone look at you. He tried his hardest not to be spiteful though during the depths of night he’d randomly ask you if leaving was really what you wanted. He asked what running away from him would prove. And the only thing you could say or at least put into words were that this was a promise. They were dead because of you this was the only thing you owed them. Not to mention you wanted to be able to make sure that you were over cocaine. You would never really know if you were clean or not if Frankie was there telling you what to do. And keeping you away from everything. 

It was hard getting dropped off at the bus station. Everyone went and everyone said good bye. Hugging and helping you store your bag in the bottom of the bus. Everyone gave you either addresses and their phone numbers.  Once it was your turn to get on the bus, most everyone was already back in the tour bus. Frankie grabbed your arm and spun you around kissing you so passionately you were temporarily  paralyzed. You hugged him one more time and took a step into the bus, fund your seat and watched Frankie and everyone else drive off in the opposite direction. You almost cried but then again this really was what you wanted. Most of the ride to the next bus station you fiddled with the necklace you had retrieved  from the sink. The one Frankie had bought you. The black pendant with the laser imprinted silhouettes of Frankie and yourself. The bus stopped and people began to leave. A girl from a seat farther back in the bus stood up and sat next to you.

*Aren‘t you Bobby Dahl?*

*Yeah*

*I thought you hated Frankie, from the AP magazine I read.*

*I did hate him. But that was so long ago. I love him now.*

*then where is he?*

*I left. I didn‘t have a choice.*

*you definitely did have a choice. To get on the bus or to stay with him.*

*I am with him.*

*I don’t see how you could just walk away from that. Anyhow... Where are Paul and Adam and Lisa?*

*Who do you know about them?*

*I went to the Warped tour*

*We only played like 4 shows. And those were all the way across the country. in California.*

*I was visiting my paternal parents.*

*Adopted?*

*Yeah. But where are they? Why are you all alone?*

*We got into some bad stuff.*

*Is that why you stopped playing?*

*They died about a month ago.*

*What? How? Why? *

*They all died. I died too, a couple weeks ago,  but Frankie saved me.*

*But, I don‘t understand.*

*You don‘t need to. I‘m the only one who survived from Tough Crowd. Everyone’s death was drug related. And looking back on it, I would have changed so much. I would have done everything differently. Maybe then they would be here and I wouldn‘t be going back home.*

*You look sick.*

*Withdrawals. But they are almost gone, so there‘s nothing to worry about.*

*Did Gerard help you with that?*

*Yeah. He did. Everyone in My Chem is amazing. They‘ve helped me so much*

*Why are you going home?*

*I promised everyone that I’d give an explanation to why they died. I promised them that I would explain everything.*

*Couldn‘t you get sent to jail? If they told on you?*

*Maybe. I‘m hoping that they‘d be too distraught to call the police. Their bodies have been back home for about a week now. So I‘m hoping they won‘t be too upset.*


*Trisha! Come on! W e have to go!* a friend of hers called from the front of the bus.

*Okay.  Well, good luck. I hope you aren‘t walking away from him forever.*

*I plan on seeing him later this month.*

*Good. Don‘t fuck things up with him.*