“Err. I guess the simple version is that I’ve been having some problems at home, mainly with my dad. And I decided I needed to get away from it all for a while.”
“And that’s the simple version? I guess you don’t really want to talk about the complicated version then?”
“No. Not right now anyway. I’m still trying to work it all out in my own head. Trying to explain it to someone would be impossible.”
Joe chuckled.
“I think I understand the feeling.” He smiled knowingly.
I yawned, only then realizing how tired I still was from the travelling.
“You look pretty dead on your feet there.” Joe laughed.
“I definitely feel it. I think I’m going to go pass out on my bed.” I grinned. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night Frankie.” He called after me.
“See you tomorrow Ben.” I said as I passed Ben in the hall.
“You calling it a night then?” I nodded. “Ok. See you in the morning.” He gave a small salute as I ascended the stairs.
I decided to quickly check my cell, so I switched it on and waited for it to register.
It went off several times, one after the other, so I left it while I got ready to go to sleep. Once I was changed into something suitable to sleep in and I had tied my hair back in a loose pony tail I picked up my cell again, now that it had finished receiving messages.
Seven new messages and five miss calls. Five out of seven of the messages were from my dad, one was from James and another from Mike.
Message 1:
From: Dad
I’m getting worried now Frankie. Please. Tell me what’s going on. Or at least where you are so I know your safe. X
Message 2:
From: James
You’ve got to talk to him at some point. I don’t know how long I can keep pretending I don’t know anything. At least consider talking to him. And soon. Xxx
The next three messages from my dad were pretty much the same as the first.
Message 6:
From: Mike
Hey kid. What’s going on? Your dad’s getting really freaked out. Let us know where you are or something soon, we’re all worried about you. And Tre misses his swimming buddy. X
I managed to let out a small laugh at that, remembering last time we had been to a barbeque at Mike’s place. Tre and I ended up in the swimming pool for like three hours straight. Well nearly, the only time we got out was to dive back in, or do a cannon ball to cover the people sitting around the edge of the pool in water. It was one hell of a day.
The last one from my dad was slightly different.
Message 6:
From: Dad
Frankie. If you don’t tell me where you are soon, I’m calling the police. James doesn’t even seem to know where you are! Please. I have to know nothing bad has happened to you! I’m begging you. Joey keeps asking where you are too. He’s scared for you.
I couldn’t hold it off any longer. I wasn’t telling him where I was or what was going on. All I was doing was telling him I was safe. I can’t let him call the police.
Don’t worry about me. I’m safe. Tell Joe that I love him and I’ll speak to him real soon. Xo
I left it at that, not wanting to spill my guts out in a text. I quickly dug out its charger and found the nearest plug socket to the nightstand. Luckily I’d remembered to pack an adapter for the sockets, which I also dug out. I climbed into bed and tried to let everything drift out of my head to get a decent night’s sleep, I guess I hoped for too much. I turned countless times over the next hour, only to have the shit scared out of me when my cell went off. I looked at the screen; it was obviously a reply from my dad.
Message 1:
From: Dad
Thank god you finally replied! Now what the hell is going on?! Tell me where you are and I'll come get you and we can just talk it out. That’s all we need to do isn’t it?
I closed the message and put my phone back on the side and tried, once again to go to sleep. My cell went off three more times during the night, scaring the shit out of me every time, before I finally turned it off. I did eventually manage to fall asleep. But it was probably the most restless sleep I’ve ever had.
Why am I doing this again?
It's Not A Question But A Lesson Learned In Time - Chapter Nine
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