𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬~ 𝐎𝐟 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧🐇

Sleepless nights

As night cast its shadows, the weary ranch workers had finished their jobs for the day, and we're all out socialising at Susy's place.

All except for George, who wanted to stay with Lennie and make sure he kept out of trouble, and Crooks of course. Although he would never admit it to the rest of the men, George believed brothels to be a waste of time and hard earned cash. He scoffed at the thought of the lot doing anything to get a glimpse of a half naked woman. He and Lennie had 10 dollars between the two of them, so there was no point in blowing it all in one night, especially over something as stupid as a cat house.

Lennie was still in the barn with the puppies, playing with them. He spent almost all the time his wasn't working with them damn dogs. George just hoped they're were still some pups left, otherwise Slim would surely get the Boss to can them.

In the dimly lit bunkhouse, George smiled to himself. He loved seeing his friend happy. He couldn't wait for Lennie to take his new puppy to the farm that they we're so close to owning.

As soon as George was about to settle in for the night, who else but Lennie Small burst in through the door, a tiny puppy pressed against his chest.

George sighed, Crazy bastard. He thought.

"Lennie what did we talk 'bout. That pup ain't s'posed to come in here. He needs to sleep with his mama."

The larger man stared at George with innocent eyes, staring down at the young dog. "But I ain't hurtin' him George!" He protested

"I know, but he don't belong here." George said sternly.

Lennie looked from the tiny puppy, to a cross George. "Please George." He began "Can't he stay 'ere a little bit?"

The smaller man sighed, clearly at a loss. "Awight, but jus for the night ya here?" He said, pointing a finger at Lennie.

Lennie beamed and jumped up and down excitedly like a child on Christmas Eve "Thank you George! I'se gonna take good care of him!" He began cradling the puppy, which looked absolutely terrified, in his large paws.

George gently took the pup out of Lennie's grasp, which was quite a challenge, and set it down on the ground. "Hey Len, you'se best not hug him too tight, he don't like it, besides you might end up killin' him like the little mice. We wouldn't want that now would we?"

Lennie stared at the ground, almost ashamed of his actions.

"George"

"Hm?"

"C-can I still tend the rabbits?"

"O' course ya can! I ain't mad, jus' don't squeeze the little fella. He's only got little bones." He placed a hand on Lennie's shoulder to comfort him.

"Now, we'd best hit the hay. We gotta git up early tomorra." He continued, making his way over to his bunk.

Lennie mirrored his actions, going to his bunk and putting the puppy on his bed. It began to chew on his hat playfully.

George smiled, but then realised Lennie would most likely crush the little pup in his sleep if it slept on his bed. "Hey Len, that pups gotta sleep on the floor."

Lennie's eyes darkened with sadness "But why George?"

"Pups don't belong on beds Lennie. He's an animal, we can make sure he's comfy on the floor how 'bout that?"

Lennie seemed unsure at first, but then nodded in agreement, and the two men placed a blanket down on the floor, in the space between both of their bunks.