MUKE short stories

bad omens ♪ 8

Luke was swimming laps, stopping every minute or two to see if his mother was talking to him.

Every school break, Liz would insist on coming over and help Luke with the house. That usually meant deep cleaning the oven or finding all the spiders Luke refused to kill but in warmer months Liz liked to take care of the flowers.

Luke knew the flowers were just an excuse so she could come by more often as Luke was not able to keep them alive. The joke was on her, Luke loved when his mum came over. She'd always baby him and Luke didn't mind that at all.

"Honey?" She called when he was starting to get tired. "You should come out and take a shower, it will soon be seven."

Liz was supposed to come and see his ex-boyfriend's band with him tonight as she loved live music and concert photography. Sadly, she had to cancel so Luke was taking his ex-husband world-famous musician to see his small band ex-boyfriend perform.

"Mum, the flowers look wonderful," he told her, while she was still fussing over the color scheme.

"I know sweetie, now go shower."

Luke tried to hurry, he and Michael didn't set up any specific time, he just knew Michael was having dinner at his parent's house.

Just as he towel-dried his hair he heard his mother scream from the backyard.

"Mum?" He hurried outside to see his Liz in tears.

"Michael, my baby." She held Michael close as he laughed and pressed her against his chest.

"I missed you," Michael said quietly but loud enough for Luke to hear.

Luke went back inside, hoping that they didn't notice him.

The worst thing about their split, besides losing his best friend, was the fact that Michael's family was his family and his family was Michael's family. They broke more than one heart while just trying to make the best decision they could.

Luke got ready, he wore his ripped skinny jeans and a vintage band shirt his mum got him.

When he came downstairs his mum was cleaning the kitchen, his eyes bloodred from crying.

Luke hugged her.

"He looks well."

He nodded.

"Karen and Daryl were so worried about him. I'm so happy he's home."

Home. The word hurt because this wasn't Michael's home anymore.

"I think he's a bit overwhelmed with everything," Luke told her. "I don't think living with me helps."

"You see," she said. "This is exactly why it does help. You notice things like that about him. You'll be the first to know if he's slipping and you'll be able to help."

"How?" Luke asked.

"Just by telling someone," she tucked his curls behind his ears. "It's not your job to keep him happy, but you can help him not slip up."