Chapter 12
The next morning, Mike was woken by someone knocking on their bedroom door. This time he didn’t need to get up to see who it was as Micky walked straight in after he’d knocked. Mike nudged Pete and woke him up making sure they were both decent and the sheets covered them.
“Morning, Mick, what are you doing up so early?” He checked his watch on the bedside table. Not even nine o’clock yet “Come over here, though. I wanna word with you.”
“Okay. Gemma just gave me a ride home. I stopped over at her parent’s. My mom invited them to the meal last night, and her dad even asked her to make some cakes for a big party they’ve got next week. Paying her well, too, so I’m in her good books for once.”
“Well, you sure ain’t in mine. What did I tell you to do before you went out yesterday?” Mike asked.
“You said you’d do the dishes. I would have done them though.”
“Not that. Something else I asked you to do, remember? Tidying up, your things around the pad?”
“I put my skateboard outside and took my magazines to my room. They’re under my bed, so I did tidy things. Mike.” He had a puzzled look on his face. trying to figure if there had been anything else.
“Your damn roller skates were near the front door! I went to answer the door, didn’t see them and I slipped on one and I’m in a lot of pain, thanks to you.” He gave Micky one of his angry looks.
“I’m sorry! I forgot about them. I haven’t used them for a few days. I’ll go move them in a minute. I did bring you some of my mom’s baking.” He went into the living room for a few minutes and came back with a tray with some cakes and cookies and some tea and coffee, placing it on the bed.
“I already moved them, Mick. They’re next to your skateboard on the sun deck,” Pete said as Micky was about to leave the room.
“Thanks. Well, I’ve got some news for you, and it’s something good for the group, so I think you’ll be happy. I got us an audition! Luckily it’s not until Friday… It’s for this new club and there’s talk of the band who gets the gig getting some TV exposure! How cool would that be?”
“What kind of place is this, then?” Mike started to perk up a little.
“You know there’s that new talk show on TV, with that host guy Max Diamond on it? He’s opening this night club, like a upmarket dinner and dance place, and he’s got a network interested in filming there. And he wants a house band! Gemma’s dad heard about it and got one of his staff to sort out the audition, so we need to be at Diamond’s Bar and Lounge at ten thirty Friday morning.”
“Sounds promising, I guess.”
“It is., Max is gonna do cabarets a couple of nights a week, some singing and comedy, and he needs a young up-and-coming band to attract a younger crowd—it’s what the network want to get teenage viewers as well. Old Max isn’t gonna get the viewing figures they need on his own.” Micky did an impression of Max, which had Pete laughing, but it didn’t seem to impress Mike.
“Okay. We can do it. Do you know what other bands are gonna be there—anyone we know? We need a good tight set…we can plan this between us. Any idea on how many songs we need to play?” Mike asked.
“It’s a round of auditions. They start with about six, and there’s a few stages. I think there’ll be some screen tests and maybe a small audience to see who goes down the best. Are you gonna be able to get off your ass to practice, or is the pain that bad?” Micky laughed and stood away from Mike before he decided to throw something at him. “You’re not gonna be a big pain in the ass, are you?”
“God, you and your jokes! It’s not funny, you know. Wait until I’m better, Micky. I’ll get my own back. Your ass will be black and blue, and you might need a cushion for your drum stool.”
Pete finished nibbling one of the cookies. “This Max guy isn’t so young, but he used to be a singer back in the fifties, didn’t he? Is he trying to revive his career? And doesn’t the band on some talk shows have a guy that adds comedy bits too—is that what you’re hoping for?”
“You got it right there, Pete. I could do so well as the funny guy! It’s perfect for me. You won’t begrudge me this chance, Mike, would you…please?” He picked up the chair from the other side of the room and sat closer to the bed.
“I’ll think about it. You owe me, boy. I can barely move and it’s all your fault, so you could be at my beck and call when I need you, see how you like it for once.”
“Hey, can’t Pete be at your beck and call? You’ve been doing everything for him while he’s been ill, so it should be his turn. I gotta work on some jokes to impress Max.”
“Pete’s not totally better yet, so you can help both of us. Aabout time you two pulled your weight around here a bit more.” Mike picked up his notebook and a pencil. “I’ll write a list of chores for you to share. Davy can help too.”
“S’not fair! He’s never here, so it’s just gonna be me working my ass off while you lie on yours.” He laughed at getting another ass joke in, realizing Mike was far from impressed.
“I’m sure you can multitask, Mick, work on your act while you work on doing some cleaning. I can see from here the windows outside need a good clean. Stop sulking and put that bottom lip back in.”
“That’s quite a big list,” Pete commented as Mike continued onto a second page, just as their bedroom door opened and Davy walked in.
“Hey, guys, what’s going on in here? You having a group meeting without me?” Davy looked from one to the other, his eyes fixing on Mike. “What’s the matter with you, Mike, still in bed?”
“He can’t move. I caused him a major pain in the ass literally, so me and you have got chores to do around the house.” He showed the two-page list to him.
“No way. Micky, if you’ve caused this problem, it’s you who should suffer. Why should I be made to do extra work? So, Mike, you got two pains in the ass and only one’s Micky.”
“Sorry, Mike, you’re really the butt of everyone’s jokes today! At least you’re taking it lying down. I won’t try hiding behind you. I guess I better make a start cleaning the pad from top to bottom.” Micky bent over, laughing out loud.
“I’ll remember this when I’m giving that heinie a spanking in a few days. Just you wait and see.” Mike took a drink of his coffee and gave Micky his annoyed look.
“No worries, Mike, we’ll get our arses out of your way, and I’ll make sure he works his ass off for you.” Davy joined in on the jokes, leaving the room as Mike threw a cookie that hit the closing door.
“You got anything to add to this, babe, just get it over with now.” He looked over at Pete who was mid-mouthful through a slice of cake.
“Well, I like your tush. It’s cute and firm…not too big…just perfect,” Pete said and gave him his dimpled grin, knowing Mike wouldn’t be mad at him, maybe a little embarrassed by the compliments. He cuddled up to Mike, putting an arm over him. “I could go out there and help him. I haven’t been doing much for the past few days.”
“No, let him do some work for once. You stay here with me, help me recuperate.” He got as close as he could and gave Pete a kiss before he picked up a cookie for them to share, breaking it in half.
“What do you really think about the audition? It sounds a good opportunity for us.”
“Yeah, I think so, too, but it doesn’t do any harm to keep him waiting for an answer. He always expects to get his own way. We’ll definitely go for it, and he needs to tell Davy about it as well.”
“Michael, that’s mean of you.” Pete laughed, resting his head on Mike shoulder.
Outside in the living room, Micky sat and started going through the list. “This is gonna take me forever on my own. Davy, you gotta help me out here, please?”
“Hey, I didn’t get you into this mess—you caused it all by being messy, so I don’t see why I should have to do anything. You brought it all on yourself.” Davy snatched the list from Micky and started to read down the chores that were to be done.
“Well, cooking shouldn’t be a problem. Annie brought some stuff and filled up the freezer, and I can always ask my mom or Gemma to give me a hand.” Micky went to the kitchen to check what food they had in the icebox and cupboards. “Things aren’t too bad—there’s cereals, tinned stuff, sodas…we should be okay. How about you go to the store and get some bread and milk?”
“I suppose I could do that. That’s not too hard.” Davy took some cash from the communal housekeeping jar and took the car keys. “Won’t be long. I’ll get some juice and eggs too.”
Micky had started cleaning up the dishes that were in the sink when there was a knock at the front door and Annie came in. “Hi, Micky. I’ve just called round to see how Peter’s doing and if there was anything I can do to help. Is Mike about and are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine, thanks. Mike and Pete are both in the bedroom. Mike had an accident, and it was my fault, so he’d punishing me by making me do chores. It’s not fair.” He finished putting the dishes away.
“You want a hand with anything? I did some baking for you. Here’s a few pies, some savoury and here’s an apple pie too. You can just heat these up for dinner—there’s a smaller cheese, potato and onion one you can give Peter. Let’s see what vegetables you’ve got around here…”
Micky found some potatoes, broccoli, carrots and onions. “Will these do?” he asked Annie.
“Yeah. You can help me, and I won’t say a word to Mike, okay?” They both got to work peeling and chopping the vegetables, and putting them into pans to cook later.
“Thanks so much. I’m not the best at this kind of thing.” Micky gave Annie a big hug, “I appreciate this. Ooh, we’ve got ice cream—perfect with the apple pie,” he said when checking the freezer and putting in some of the food Annie had brought round.
Once everything was finished for dinner later that evening, Annie helped Micky make sandwiches for lunch. She put some on a tray with tea and coffee. “Take this through for Mike and Peter, and I’ll follow you and say I just got here, okay?” She winked at him.
Micky knocked on the bedroom door and heard Mike tell him to come in. “I’ve done the dishes and made lunch, Davy’s gone for groceries, and, Pete, you’ve got a visitor.” Annie walked in behind him. Micky placed the tray on the bed. “Here you are: drinks and sandwiches.”
“You haven’t been helping him out with this, have you, Annie?” Mike quizzed her.
“No, he was just finishing this off when I arrived. I brought some baking—most of it has gone in the freezer—but this is all Micky’s work. Don’t be too hard on him, Mike.”
“Okay then, Annie, but someone needs to do things around the pad. I can hardly get up.” He winced in pain, attempting to sit up.
“Stop trying to move”.Pete said, pushing him back down.
“But if I do promise to do these chores, you’ll promise we can go to the audition on Friday?”
“Yeah, okay, for an easier life I promise, but you’ve got to stick to your part of the deal, Mick. No hiding things and getting help from Annie. We got a deal.” Mike held his hand out to Micky.
Micky shook his hand. “All right, I’ll do my best. It might not be as good as what you do but I’ll do what I can. You won’t regret this. As I said, it’ll be good for us.” Micky left the room, heading back to the kitchen to make some lunch for Davy.
“Annie, you better not help him. I know you too well by now. He needs to grow up and learn his lesson. It’ll do him some good.”
Annie sat beside Pete on the bed. “How are you Peter? I can’t really see any spots or scars, so at least you’ve not been your usual fidgety self, or has Mike been keeping his beady eye on you?” She looked over and Mike who nodded to say yes.
“I put socks on his hands, so his nails couldn’t scratch them, and it worked, but yeah I had to keep watching him. I’m making sure he still rests though. Me too now, as well, I suppose.”
“I came to tell you I need to put the naming ceremony off for a while. Gran can’t make it—she’s going into hospital for an operation. Don’t worry—it’s nothing serious, but she just can’t fly too soon afterward, and I want her to be there for the twins.”
“No problem. I’ll pop around and see them in a few days. Things okay with you and Christine?”
“Everything’s fine, and we’ve got a friend coming to stay from New York. I was gonna ask if Davy would show her around. She’s British but been in the states about six months, and she’s gonna be starting at college soon, but her dorm place isn’t ready yet.”
“Are you sure Davy’s the right person to ask? He’ll be all over her, flirting, and after a date,” Mike asked Annie, making her think about the idea.
“I was just thinking of the British connection. She’d understand him. She is quite tough—her brother’s a boxer back home and I think she can handle herself.” She made the other two laugh.
“I’m sure he’ll offer to help her out. At least Micky’s with Gemma, so they won’t be fighting over her.” Mike tried to move around as he was trying to be as mobile as he could.
“How about a soak in the bath? Then afterward I can massage you again. I think there’s some ointment in the bathroom. I’ll go have a look in the cabinet. I think there might be some bubble bath too. I’m sure that will do you some good.” Pete started to look in his bedside drawer. “I’ve got massage oils, if we haven’t got anything else.”
“Well, I’ll leave you two to it. I’m gonna head off home. I’ll chat to Davy when I see him next.” She left their room and Pete followed her.
Davy had arrived back and was putting the milk and juice in the icebox. “Hi, Davy. I was just talking about you. I need a favor from you,” Annie asked.
“What’s that then?” Davy came over to the living room, opening up a soda.
“I was wondering if you’d mind showing a friend of mine around? She’s about my age and British, and coming to stay with me at the weekend.”
“Of course. Sounds fun, I’ve nothing planned yet, so why not.” He sat down and picked up the TV guide to see what was on the television.
“Thanks. I’ll let her know. Thanks for this. I’m gonna go back home, so see you all later.”
Micky had followed Pete into the bathroom and sneaked up behind him quietly.
“Micky, don’t do that! You gave me a scare.”
“Sorry, Pete, what you doing? Checking that I’m working? Look, I just cleaned the bath and shower—you could eat outta that bath.”
“That’s good, because Mike’s gonna have a bath. Having a long soak should ease the pain for him, so I’ve come to check for ointment to use on him afterward.”
“Listen, you go get him ready, I’ll run the bath and give you a shout when it’s ready for him.”
About five minutes later, Micky shouted to say he’d done. Davy was coming down the stairs when Pete and Mike approached the bathroom, Pete helping Mike walk. “Here, Mike, this liniment should help with any stiffness.” He tried his best to hold back any laughter and nudged Micky when he started to giggle.
In the bathroom, Pete helped Mike climb into the tub. He got in the best he could. “I’m gonna kill Micky—why on earth’s he put in goddamn ducks and boats?” Pete couldn’t help smiling. Mike had shouted loudly so Micky couldn’t help hearing the comment.
Micky put his head round the door with a hand over his eyes. “Sorry. I forgot I wasn’t filling it for myself. Hey, I even put some of Davy’s nice bubble bath in. Shame there’s not room for both of you. I’m gonna leave before you throw a duck at me.”
Mike just ignored him and got as comfortable as he could. Pete bent down beside the bath. “Here. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll help you with anything you need. I’ll just lock the door so we don’t get disturbed.” Pete looked straight into Mike’s eyes and winked, making Mike’s mood improve.
“Thanks, babe. That’s just why I love everything about you. Come and give me a kiss.” They soon forgot about the other two outside in the living room.
Outside, Micky went over to Davy. “That ointment looked a little odd. Never seen that brand before.”
“You won’t know it. It’s from a vet. It’s for soothing stiff joints in horses—I’m sure it’ll have the same result in humans,Just don’t tell Mike.”
“Well I guess you better help me with the rest of the chores, then, Davy, otherwise I won’t be able to control what I say,” Micky said as a thrown cushion hit his head.