Cat N' Mau5

Chapter 13: Some News

A low growl emanated from my throat. Escape? Escape! They couldn’t do that! I had to stop them before they tried anything funny. In the end, they won’t be the ones laughing. With a flick of my tail, I darted away. I needed to stop them and soon. Hopefully they’ll never see it coming.

***

The group of men all perked up when they heard the door swing open. The only person who would just walk in like that was Frank. Mikey raised his head as Frank skidded to a stop in front of where he lay on the couch. His puzzled expression mirrored everyone else’s at Frank’s excitement and energy.

“What’s up Frank?” Mikey asked.

Frank grinned. “Guys, I have the best news!” He bounced a little from the anticipation.

“Good,” Ray sighed. “We could use something to brighten our lives. What is it? Did you find another stray puppy?”

“No, it’s better than that!” Frank exclaimed. He was excited to tell them, but this was too much fun! The thought of Gerard being alive had brought back the old Frank.

“Better than a puppy?” Bob mused. “I wonder what that could be?”

“The only news for Frank better than a puppy… Another child?” Mikey sat quietly as Ray guessed again.

“Well, Lily and Cherry have a friend round, but that’s not it.”

The room was quiet in thought. Just a simple guessing game had managed to take their mind off Gerard. Also seeing Frank like he used to be.

It was Mikey who caught on first. “Frank…?”

“Yes?” He turned to face his friend with a grin.

“You seem really happy… like, really happy.”

“I am!”

“And I haven’t seen you this happy since… since Gerard was here.” His voice was barely audible.

“Mhm…” Frank encouraged.

“Does that mean… does that mean that… that Gerard is okay?” Mikey was hesitant to say it even then, in case it was simply a false hope and the real ‘good news’ was that Frank had a packet of skittles. These things happen. But Frank’s giveaway grin told him otherwise, and with one to match he sprung off the couch and pulled his friend into a hug.

“Wait, what?” Bob sounded astonished.

“Are you kidding me?” Ray’s voice had gotten shrill, and he jumped up and joined the hug.

“Oh, alright,” Bob grumbled, heading over to the group. “For Gerard.” His huge beefy arms encircled the other three in a huge bear hug, crushing them all together. Tears were shed, but tears of joy. Gerard was alive!

“Wait, guys,” Frank said suddenly solemn, pulling away.

“What it is?” Ray asked sombrely.

“I don’t know for sure that Gerard is alive,” he began when Mikey interrupted.

“I do.” They all turned and faced him. “I can feel it. We’re brothers.”

“Right,” Frank nodded. “I feel it too. But all that the news said was that some people made it, with some injuries. Major injuries. So that gives Gerard a small chance, and even so he could come out so badly bashed up he might not make it. He might not remember who we are.”

“Stop.” They all looked towards Mikey again. Tears had sprung to his eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. “Is this some kind of joke to you? You come to me, bringing me the news that my brother is alive. Then you tell me he probably won’t make it, and that if he does he won’t even remember me, his own brother.” A silent sob escaped his throat.

“No, Mikes, that’s not what I meant-“

“I SAID STOP!” He bellowed, drawing silence to the room immediately. “Just leave, Frank. We were already depressed as it was.” The hurt in his voice broke Frank’s heart. “This is my place. Get out, now.”

“Wait, Mikey,” Ray pleaded.

“You can leave too, Ray!” He spat, turning on his friend. Ray looked surprised, but nodded curtly, turning and following Frank who had just run out the door. Mikey needed some space to take everything in, and Frank needed reassurance.

Instead of saying anything more, Mikey slumped onto the ground, face in his hands. He began to sob, quietly at first, but he couldn’t hold it in any longer, and soon he was all out weeping. Bob silently knelt next to him, putting a comforting, strong hand on his back. Mikey didn’t stop, and Bob could feel him shaking feebly under his touch. “Hush, Mikey,” he soothed. “You said you could feel him. Alive. He’ll make it, he’s strong.” Mikey sniffed in reply.

They sat together quietly, each other’s presence a comfort to the other. After a while, Bob’s phone vibrated softly. “Is that Ray?” Mikey guessed. Bob nodded, unlocking his phone. “What’s he say?”

The phone cast a faint glow on Bob’s face as he read out the text. “Meet at Frank’s in ten, bring skittles.”

“I don’t want to go.” Mikey said straight as Bob replied to the message. The truth was he felt guilty, and showing up at Frank’s after kicking him out of his home would make things worse. “But you can take him my last pack of skittles.”

“Okay. Will you be okay here by yourself?”

“Yeah, of course!” He forced a laughed. “I’m home alone most of the time, anyway. When you guys aren’t round…” Bob knew what he was thinking, and didn’t mention the fact he shared his house with Gerard.

“Alright… Well, I’ll grab my jacket and the skittles and head over there. Um, where are they?” Mikey took Bob and directed him to the skittles, handing him the packet with a small smile. “I’ll tell him they were from you,” he said, just as he walked out the door.

“Sure, whatever.” Mikey closed the door, and instead of heading back to his spot on the couch, went and made himself a coffee. While the water was still boiling, he went and had a shower, washing off the tears and sorrow and replacing it with a crisp set of new clothes. After the coffee, he went and shaved, making himself look like the presentable person he once was.

He stared at his reflection in the mirror. Dark rings stained the skin under his eyes, which were now red and still slightly puffy from crying. He applied some makeup to cover the dark rings a little more, and reduce the crying-eye effect. When he was satisfied, Mikey went and made himself another cup of steaming coffee, downing it quickly and finding himself making yet another.