The Lies and the Lives of the Taken

Frank 18

        "I have all my papers officially in order!" Jenna exclaims, stepping into the apartment. 

        I glance at her smiling, turning off the TV since I wasn't really watching the Austrian soap opera anyway. "You ready to move to America?" I ask.

        "I am very excited. You've got to show me New York City." I smile at her, seeing the excitement on her face. She sets her briefcase down on the coffee table and then glances at me. "Are you ready to leave Austria?" she asks. 

        I stifle a laugh. "No," I end up saying. "I love it here so much. It's so beautiful and the food is amazing and the people are so friendly and kind. It feels like every day, I'm on vacation. But at the same time, it is what it is and it'll be nice to be back home I guess." 

        Jenna sets her bag on the table and sits down on the couch. "You still have time, Frank. It's technically not even spring break."

        I nod along, glancing at the clock. "Speaking of time, I should probably go to class," I say. "Don't want to miss my midterm."

        Jenna looks at the clock. "You still have an hour," she points out. 

        I grab my bag from my room and then throw on a jacket. "I know but I didn't make coffee this morning so I want to grab some before I head over."

        "Right, right," she says. "I forgot you're obsessed with that one particular cafe that you always insist on going to. You know, you don't have to leave so early as there's a Starbucks a block from your classes." I crack a smile as I grab my keys out of the dish and slip on my shoes. Jenna leans on the arm of the couch and tilts her head. "I thought American's love Starbucks."

        "They do, but I like this one cafe more," I say. I open the door and shoot her a glance. "Besides, it's not nearly as expensive." Jenna shakes her head laughing and I head out. There is a Starbucks on the way and I used to go to that one. But it really is expensive compared to the cafe and the cafe does taste better. However, I know I'm omitting the real reason I still go there. 

        I walk over and head in. The barista behind the counter recognizes me and waves. I smile back at her and stand in the short line, taking out the money. "Hallo, Frank. The usual?" she asks as I step up.

        "Yeah," I say, handing her the amount. 

        She takes it and swiftly hands me the change. "Be done in just a minute."

        "Thanks," I tell her, stepping over to the side as the next person goes. Only a few more days left of this. I'm really not ready to go. But this doesn't mean I can't come back to Austria at some point. One thing's for sure, I'm excited to see what the future holds. 

        I glance to my left and freeze. Gerard. It's been months since I've seen or even talked to Gerard. The days to my departure are getting closer and he still hasn't called. I was worried he forgot about me. I don't know where he's staying at now since they moved hotels after the terrorist attack but I was hoping it's still in Salzburg and by the cafe we always would go to. I was hoping I'd run into him here again.

        He doesn't look the same. I mean, he's still dressed very formally like a model ready for their walk. But he looks a bit frazzled now. His eyes are dark like he hasn't been sleeping and it's the first time I've seen his hair unkempt. The barista hands him his coffee and he gives a weak smile, taking a sip and heading out the side door. 

        He didn't notice me. I start running over to him and I catch the door before it closes. "Gerard?" I call out, stepping onto the sidewalk. He whips around, the bottom of his coat swishing at his legs and he looks at me warily. A smile forms on my face as I look at him. "Hey."