Claustrophobic Mind

Chapter 38

Mike didn't sleep that night either. He couldn't pull himself away from the impatience he was feeling. It's felt like years being away from Billie.

He waited in his car until sunrise. Mike sat in his car all night while he listened to the radio and cried. People passed by, but Mike only ignored their stares.

His eyelids felt heavy as the sun peaked over the horizon, but he couldn't bring himself to close them. Mike couldn't wait to see Billie Joe, which is why he found himself sitting in his car a 6:30 am contemplating whether he should start it or not. What time did the hospital open?

"I'm being pathetic," Mike sighed. He rested his head on his fingertips.

Suddenly, Mike started to get nervous. What would Billie be like? Would he be different? Mike didn't know why he was getting this anxiety about seeing Billie Joe, but he desperately tried to ignore it.

Mike shook his head harshly, trying to rid of the threatening thoughts. He rubbed his burning eyes as he remembered that he needed a shower.

"Fuck it," Mike muttered as he started the engine.

The sky turned to a purplish red as the orange sun rose into the sky. Mike squinted at the road, for the brightness was too much to handle.

Before he knew it, Mike was cruising into the parking lot of the mental hospital. There weren't many cars, but there were enough to ensure that they were open. Mike sighed.

The chilling air made Mike shiver. Mornings weren't his favorite. He jogged up to the psych ward as if his life depended on it. After all, Billie Joe basically was his life, Mike soon came to find.

Mike was glad to see that there was a different woman at the front desk than the day before. Seeing her after he had such an outbursts and breakdown would just be down right awkward.

"Can I help you?" the lady smiled. Her happiness was just as fake as the lady from yesterday.

"Yes. I'm Michael Pritchard, I'm here to visit Billie Joe Armstrong?" Mike answered. He rested his elbows on the counter.

The lady started typing on her computer, her pink lips pursed.

"It's B-i-l-l-i-e," Mike assured.

The woman smiled.

"Yes, I have him right here. I'll escort you to his room," she beamed. Mike thought it was way too early for her to be as happy as she was.

"Thank you."

The lady nodded in response as she walked around the desk. She had a clipboard pressed firmly against her chest as she took every step in her heels slowly.

Mike figured it was too early for any patients to be awake, considering there was no one lingering the halls. He cleared his throat.

The nerves of seeing Billie started to approach in Mike's chest once again. What was going to happen?

"He's right in here," the lady sang as she started to unlock a huge gray door.

Mike stayed back as she peaked into the room. He figured she was seeing if he was awake.

"You have a visitor Mr. Armstrong," she whispered.

The lady stepped away from the door and motioned for Mike to go in. The door was open just a crack, enough for Mike to push it open so he could step inside. The lady smiled and walked back to the front desk, trusting Mike to handle Billie himself.

Billie Joe's room was colder than the hallways, if that was even possible. The only light in the space was coming from the open blinds of the room. The walls were painted gray, the same shade as most of the furniture that filled the room. Mike's eyes immediately caught Billie's small figure.