Sail along

Chapter 30

Micky woke up the next morning feeling a mix of emotions. After what felt like an eternity of staring at the ceiling, Micky finally brought himself to get out of bed. He looked around the room and found himself alone. He stretched and scratched his head as he made his way out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Mike, Peter and Davy were in the middle of the living room on their knees making something.

"What are you three doing?" Micky asked, confused.

Mike looked up and ran at Micky. Micky opened his arms as Mike gave him a hug and then took his hand.

"Three squeezes!" He said proudly, squeezing Micky's hand three times looking at Peter. Peter beamed.

"Very good Mike." Peter said

"Very good," Mike repeated happily.

"What's going on here?" Micky asked, looking at the three of them.

"Surprise!" Mike declared happily, putting his finger over his mouth. "Shhh, don't tell Micky."

"Oh," Micky said as he looked at it.

"It was Peter's idea." Davy said as he got up.

"What is it?" Micky asked.

"A chore chart." Peter said "see we have the days of the week up top and on the side it's our name."

"Bottom chores." Mike said helpfully.

"Yeah," Peter said "Now we'll know at a glance who has to do what every day. So that way Mikes not doing everything."

"Mike's not doing everything." Mike repeated laughing. "Do nothing!"

"No, Mike," Davy said. "It's gonna be more evenly split between us."

"Help everyone help." Mike said.

"Exactly." Peter said "Everyone helps."

"Good idea." Micky said "When did you guys get up to do this?"

"Up with girls." Mike said.

"What?" Micky asked, looking at Mike. Davy rolled his eyes.

"He means birds. We were up with the birds." He said "About 6:30. It's 9 now."

Mike smiled, grabbing the chart and turning to Micky.

"Micky like?" He asked hopefully.

"I love it Mike," Micky said "You guys did a good job."

"Good job guys." Mike said "Good job. Pretty gold star, very nice hat."

"What're you talking about, Mike?" Davy asked him, taking a few steps closer.

"Away, away," Mike said, turning to him. "Lighthouse...special hat...peach...danger to the people...make them go away...Heater...no..."

"Mike, are you okay?" Micky asked, wrapping his arm around him.

"You're under a sleep." Mike said "Look at me Nez....are you okay....Illegal move...you saw it....come one man...."

"What is going on?" Davy asked, looking at Micky.

"I have no idea," Micky said "Mike are you okay?"

"Head hurts...sleep....don't sleep...shh...it's okay....they're going away....visit...too much...all alone...bye bye...go home...not home..." Mike said.

"Mike, why don't you lay down for a little bit?" Micky offered, leading him to the couch.

"I know it hurts..." Mike said, "but it'll be over in ten seconds...ten seconds, three squeezes..."

"Mike," Micky said "Are you okay?"

"Play...checkers....rollerskating....hi guys....yeah...." Mike said as Micky pushed him down onto the couch and laid him down.

"It'll be okay....Micky....alone....family....ouch...hurts....good....night....hi...." Mike said.

"Will Mike be okay?" Peter asked worriedly.

"I don't know." Micky said, biting his lip as he covered Mike with a blanket. They watched as Mike babbled away until he fell asleep. As Mike slept Micky and Peter hung up the chore chart while Davy did his share of the chores.