Going the Distance

by Christa Cervone

  “A little pussy or a good blow job every once in a while shouldn’t affect him,” Blaine jokes. “It may actually do him some good to get his mind off the fight.”

  Frankie shoots him a look, and Blaine catches on quickly that he’s not in a joking mood.

  Dismissing me, Frankie suggests, “Gabriel, why don’t you warm up on the treadmill? Blaine and I need to have a talk.”

  “Yeah, okay,” my eyes nervously skirt over in Blaine’s direction. I’m actually feeling bad for him. I’ve been on the receiving end of one of Frankie’s tirades and it’s not a good feeling.

  As I begin jogging, I can see Blaine and Frankie in the mirror. Frankie’s arms begin to flail and then Blaine ushers him into his office, shutting the door behind them. After a good ten minutes, they both emerge from the office, smiling. What the fuck is goin’ on? I’ve never once left Frankie’s office smiling after being on the receiving end of his wrath.

  “Get your gloves on, kid,” Frankie hollers from across the gym. “Jimmy’s gonna be here in five.”

  I hit the cool down button, bringing my speed down slowly. Curiously, I watch the interaction between Blaine and Frankie; the two of them are laughing and joking. I’ve never seen Frankie behave in such a way, and there’s a small pang in my heart. Why hasn’t he ever treated me like that? He’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a real father, yet he’s always kept our relationship somewhat professional.

  “You alright, Saint?” Jimmy inquires as he walks up to the treadmill.

  “Yeah, I’m just tryin’ to figure out what’s goin’ on between Frankie and Blaine.”

  “Whatta you mean?”

  “Look at them,” I throw them a glance in the mirror. “They’re acting like they’ve been friends for years.”

  Jimmy shrugs. “Yeah, so, what’s the big deal?”

  “Well, about fifteen minutes ago, I thought Frankie was gonna rip Blaine’s head off, and now they’re acting like best friends. It’s just weird.”

  “Maybe Blaine hooked Frankie up with a chick.”

  “Maybe,” I mutter, hitting the Stop button on the treadmill.

  “Never mind them; let’s go spar. You gotta get ready for this fight.”

  I shake off my uneasy feelings and make my way to the locker room to grab my gloves and headgear.

  Both Frankie and Jimmy are waiting for me in the ring when I come back out. “What did you and Blaine talk about?” I ask Frankie curiously.

  “It was business, kid, nothin’ for you to worry ‘bout,” he slaps me on the arm. “I just want you concentrating on the fight. You understand me?”

  “Comprendo.” Yeah, I get it.

  “Jimmy, throw some mitts on and run through some combinations with him.”

  “You got it!” Jimmy says happily, as he exits the ring and heads over to the corner of the gym.

  Frankie walks over to me and tightens my headgear. “You absolutely sure you wanna fight?”

  “Positive.”

  “No one is gonna think any less of you if you wanna back out.”

  “This may be my last shot for a title, Frankie. I’m so close that I can taste it.”

  Frankie smiles and nods his head approvingly. “You’re a true fighter, kid. A true fighter.”

  Jimmy works with me for the next couple of hours. First, we run combinations and drills, and then we get into the ring to spar. Being in the ring with Jimmy reminds me how much of a great fighter he actually is. Sometimes, people lose sight of his abilities because of his behavior. But I always feel sorry for his opponents when he gets in the ring.

  “Alright, Jimmy, I think you’ve worked him enough for today,” Frankie yells from the corner of the ring. “Don’t forget, he’s still healin’.”

  Jimmy nods at Frankie and lowers his gloves. “Let’s hit the showers.”

  “I was just gettin’ warmed up,” I tease.

  “How you feelin’?”

  “I was a little stiff this morning, but I worked it out.”

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it,” Jimmy says over his shoulder as we walk into the locker room. “You wanna go grab a beer or two at Patsy’s?”

  “Yeah, I do.” It felt like it had been forever since Jimmy and I hung out; just the two of us. Since Jimmy popped the question, Stephannie has been keeping him all to herself. Not to mention, I’ve been distracted myself with both Jase and Salem.

  “Lock up your women and daughters,” Patsy calls out jokingly as Jimmy and I walk through the door. “How you boys doin’?”

  “Doin’ good Patsy. How you doin’?”

  “I’m alive.”

  Jimmy throws his arm around me. “Well, it’s better than the alternative.”

  “Ain’t that the truth? What’re you boys havin’?”

  “Two Coronas.”

  “You got it.”

  “How are the wedding plans comin’?”

  Jimmy rolls his eyes as he takes a swig of his beer.

  I laugh, “Come on, it can’t be that bad.”

  “Dude, Steph has lost her ever-lovin’ mind. She spends every waking moment researching shit on the internet. And now that she’s on Pinterest? Holy fuck, it’s painful! Seriously, if they wanna torture terrorists to get information out of ‘em, all they need to do is put ‘em in a room with Steph and her wedding binder. They’ll be confessin’ to crimes they didn’t even commit just to shut her up!”

  “Has she turned into a bridezilla?”

  Jimmy nearly spits out his beer. “No, thank God. But I think it could turn out to be like that, if things don’t go absolutely perfect.” Jimmy gets a shit-eating grin on his face. “Speakin’ of ladies,” he changes the subject, “are you finally gonna tell me what the hell is goin’ on with you and the Gingah?”

  Staying tight-lipped, I simply say, “Nope.”

  “Come on, man, you gotta gimme a little.”

  “There’s nothin’ to give.”

  “Bull-fuckin-shit! When I saw you on Saturday night, you had a lovesick look on your face. Is her pussy that sweet?”

  I smile at him amusingly.

  “Oh fuck, it is that fuckin’ sweet! And, let’s not even discuss the fuckin’ hickeys she left on your neck. Dude, you gotta gimme somethin’.”

  I shake my head, refusing to answer.

  Jimmy’s voice takes on a more serious tone, “Saint, I hate to say this, but I’m worried about you.”

  I turn to him. “Worried?”

  “I think you may be in over your head, man.”

  “I know what I’m doin’, Jim.”

  “Yeah, you keep sayin’ that. But you’re playin’ with fire and with Blaine’s girl. You need to end it before you get caught and ruin everything.”

  My head falls into my hands. “I can’t, Jim.”

  “You can’t, or you won’t.”

  I slowly raise my head. “I’m in love with her.”

  Jimmy nods his head approvingly. “I’m so glad you’re finally gonna admit it.”

  I can feel my palms beginning to sweat as I rub the back of my tight neck. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Does she feel the same?”

  “I dunno,” I shrug. “Man, I tried to forget her. For three months, I didn’t see or talk to her, but not a day went by that I didn’t think about her in some way.”

  Jimmy waves his hand in the air, “Patsy, we’re gonna need somethin’ a little stronger.”

  “I was hopin’ the feelings would go away, but they’re just growin’ stronger.”

  “You gotta tell her, Saint. Tell her exactly how you feel. Maybe she feels the same.”

  “But, what if she doesn’t?” I can feel the anxiety building at just the thought of telling her that I love her and her rejecting me. I can usually handle rejection; I’ve been dealing with it my entire life, but from her, I think it may crush me.

  “Saint, love is a two-way street. If she doesn’t feel the same, then you need to end it.”

  “I know,” again my face fin
ds its way into my hands.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Patsy asks as he places two shots down on the bar.

  “Long story,” Jimmy replies.

  “Is it about that girl he was with the other night?”

  Jimmy elbows me in the ribs, giving me a dumbfounded look. “You told Patsy about her and not me?”

  “Hey! Go easy,” I groan, running my hand over my rib cage.

  “Oh shit! I’m sorry, Saint.”

  “He didn’t need to tell me. I could tell by the look on his face,” Patsy clarifies.

  Jimmy stands and does a victory dance. “Ha! See, I told ya. It’s written all over your face.”

  “What the hell are you two doin’ here? I thought I told you, no drinkin’ when you’re trainin’?” My night just went from bad to worse; Frankie just showed up.

  Patsy jumps to our defense, “Frankie, will you relax? It’s just a coupla beers.”

  “It’s never just a coupla beers with these two. And whatta ya gloatin’ about, Jimmy?”

  “Uhhh… it’s nothin’, Frankie.”

  “It’s obviously somethin’. You’re doin’ a freakin’ happy dance, and Gabriel looks like he just lost his best friend, so spill it.”

  Jimmy looks nervously at me.

  Patsy once again interrupts, “Whatta ya drinkin’, old timer?”

  “Gimme whatever they’re drinkin’,” Frankie motions to us. Squeezing himself between Jimmy and me, he turns his next question directly on me, “What’s eatin’ you?”

  Jimmy peers over Frankie’s shoulder and mouths the words “I’m sorry.”

  Blatantly, I avoid answering his question with a simple, “Nothin’.” If both Jimmy and Patsy have seen the “lovesick” face, then Frankie is definitely going to notice it.

  “Don’t give me that shit, kid. Something’s definitely buggin’ you.”

  I shrug my shoulders and nurse the beer that’s sitting in front of me.

  “Is it the fight? Just say the word and I’ll make the call.”

  “No, it’s not the fight.”

  “Then, what the hell is it?”

  I drop my head.

  “Christ, kid. It can’t be that bad. Did ya knock somebody up?”

  Shaking my head and letting out a slight laugh, I reply, “Jesus, that’s what Patsy asked! And no, I didn’t knock anyone up.”

  He lets out a sigh of relief. “Well, thank Christ for that. Okay, it’s not the fight or a baby. Then, what?”

  I look up from the bar and let out a shaky breath. “I’m in love, Frankie.”

  His eyes narrow in on mine. “In love? Don’t ya have to have a girlfriend to have that happen?”

  “Yeah, well, it just kinda happened.”

  “Kid, I’m not followin’ ya here. You’ve gotta fill me in.”

  My eyes dart toward the door, “Can we go outside? I feel kinda sick.”

  “Yeah, of course,” Frankie slides off the bar stool and waits for me.

  Jimmy leans in and whispers, “Good luck.”

  “Yeah, thanks,” I exhale, giving him a hesitant look before I follow Frankie out of the bar. The moment we step foot outside, I inhale the night air in hopes of calming my nerves. I can feel his eyes on me. “It’s Salem,” I blurt out, nervously. “I’m in love with Salem.”

  “Oh Christ,” Frankie curses as he leans up against the building.

  My voice begins to shake, “It just happened, Frankie. You have to believe, I never intended for this to happen.”

  “No one ever intends to fall in love, Gabriel. Please, tell me it’s over and that you’re just tryin’ to get over her.”

  I can feel my cheeks begin to burn as I shake my head.

  Frankie runs his index finger over his brow. “Alright, start from the beginning, and this time, don’t leave out a damn thing!”

  Joining him up against the building, I start from the very beginning: When I first laid eyes on her at the gym and I began toying with her, to the fateful night at Shikago’s when I realized she was more than just a conquest, all the way up until Saturday night and how I really ended up with the hickeys on my neck.

  Once I’m done with my confession, Frankie’s only reply is, “Are you sure Blaine knows nothing about this?”

  “I don’t know how he would; we’ve been very careful.” I flinch in anticipation of his reaction.

  “Alright,” he says pensively, “we’ll figure somethin’ out.”

  “You’re not pissed?”

  “Oh, I’m pissed, but there’s no sense in yelling and screamin’ atcha. What good is that gonna do me, besides raise my blood pressure?”

  “It’s never stopped you before.”

  Frankie chuckles. “It looks like it’s been eatin’ away at you. No need to harp on you for it.”

  I nod my head appreciatively, “Thanks, Frankie.”

  “No more secrets,” he warns sternly.

  “No more secrets,” I agree.

  “Come on, let’s go scare the piss outta Jimmy.”

  “Alright,” I give him a sly smile.

  The two of us walk back into the bar, and Frankie begins to yell, “I told ya to keep your goddamn dick in your pants, but you didn’t listen! I’ve had it with ya, Gabriel, you’ve gone too far this time. You need to pack your shit, and get the fuck outta my gym!”

  “But… but… Frankie,” I play along.

  “No more excuses! I’m sick of your shit. Jimmy, drive him to the gym and help him get his stuff.”

  Jimmy’s mouth nearly drops to the floor. “Frankie, don’t you think you’re overreacting?”

  “Overreacting? Overreacting?! You wanna go with him? By all means, pack your shit and get the fuck out, too!”

  Everyone in the bar is now looking at us; Jimmy’s face is white as a ghost, and I can barely keep from laughing. Patsy’s watching inquisitively from behind the bar, but I can tell he’s not falling for it.

  “Frankie, that’s not what I meant,” Jimmy pleads.

  “I’m sick of both of ya. Neither one of you listen to a goddamn word I say. I tell ya no broads and what do you do?” Frankie turns his attention to Jimmy, “You get engaged, and he goes and falls for a broad who’s already spoken for.”

  “Fr… Frankie…” Jimmy stammers.

  Frankie holds his hands up in Jimmy’s face. “I don’t wanna hear it. I’m gonna take a leak, and when I get back, neither of you better be here!”

  I watch as Frankie stomps off toward the men’s room. “What the fuck, Saint?” Jimmy quickly turns back to me. The color has returned to his face and now it’s flushed. He begins muttering to himself while he paces back and forth.

  I wave my hand in anger, “Whatever! I’m done dealin’ with his bullshit.”

  “Yeah, well, you got somewhere else to go! What about me?!”

  “I thought I told you to get the hell outta here?” Frankie yells from across the room.

  “Shit, Saint, we gotta go.”

  I pull out a stool at the bar and take a seat. “Fuck him. He doesn’t own this place, Patsy does, and I’m not leavin’. Patsy, another Corona.”

  Jimmy starts backing away from the bar as Frankie heads toward us. Jimmy’s eyes dart around the room and he quickly heads for the door.

  “Jimmy, where ya goin’?”

  Jimmy looks over his shoulder; both Frankie and I are now laughing.

  “Huh?” his tone is uncertain and he looks completely confused.

  “We were just pullin’ your chain, Jimmy,” Frankie laughs.

  “You were, what?”

  I walk over to him and throw my arm around his shoulder. “It was a joke, Jim.”

  “A joke?”

  “Yeah, a joke. It was supposed to be funny.”

  “Funny? That wasn’t fuckin’ funny. That was mean! What the hell is wrong with you two? I almost had a damn heart attack!”

  Frankie joins us and tries to lure Jimmy back to the bar, “Aw, come on, you need to lighten up.”

  Shruggi
ng my arm off his shoulders, Jimmy continues his tirade, “Well, I don’t think it was funny. Fuck both of you!” He stalks off, nearly pulling the door off its hinges.

  Both Frankie and I look at each other. “I’ll go get him,” Frankie volunteers.

  Patsy shakes his head and wipes down the bar in front of me. “You guys should take it easy on Jimmy. He’s a sensitive one.”

  “We were just bustin’ his balls.”

  “Yah, I know you were, but he looks up to both you and Frankie. That little play scared the shit out of him.”

  I nod my head in understanding. “You’re right. I’ll apologize when he comes back in.”

  “How’d things go with Frankie?”

  “Better than I expected.”

  “You need to give him a little more credit, kid. He’s a very knowledgeable man and only has your best interests in mind.”

  “When did you get so smart?”

  “Ha! I could be a goddamn therapist for all the years I’ve listened to people’s troubles.”

  “Alright, I got him to come back,” Frankie announces with Jimmy in tow.

  “Hey, man, I’m sorry. We were only bustin’ on ya,” I clap his shoulder.

  “Yeah, I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. It’s just, Steph has got me all twisted with the wedding. She wants all this fancy shit that I know we can’t afford, but I want her to have the wedding of her dreams. My head’s all fucked up from the stress and I thought you guys were for real with that shit! I don’t know what I’d do without the two of you here to help me through.”

  “You guys will work through it; you always do.”

  Frankie chimes in, “Whatta ya think about our boys, Patsy? Both of ‘em are pussy-whipped.”

  “It was just a matter of time, Frankie. Jimmy’s been that way for years. It just took the right woman to finally steal this one’s heart,” Patsy points to me.

  “I suppose you’re right. It was bound to happen sooner or later. At least he hasn’t knocked anyone up.”

  “I’ll toast to that,” Patsy raises a shot glass in the air. “Though, it would be nice to have a baby around.”

  “Hey, hey,” Frankie says sternly, “don’t give ‘em any ideas. There’s plenty of time for kids in their futures. For now, they gotta focus on Gabriel’s fight.”