Sleepers

Chapter 2

7:23pm  John, Tommy, Mikey and Nicole are sat outside Fat Manchos place.  "It's about time Shakes! my clothes are goin' outta style!" John shouts as a jog over to the door.  "Sorry, I got caught up" I lied breathlessly, I've been huggin' my mother for the last half hour, trying to calm her down.  "Ok, so... Where we gonna go?!" Tommy says, looking at us all for ideas.  "Do you know what crap like that does to your body?" We all look to see father Bobby walking towards us nodding his head at John who was finishing his ice cream. Father Bobby was a close friend who just happened to be a priest, he was as comfortable sat on a bar stool than he was doing communion in church. He was like the father we've never had, he's protects us, supports us and treats us fairly.  "C'mon Father, it beats smoking, and it's cheaper too" John laughs.  "Huh, what you lot all doin' here? Stayin' outta trouble I hope"  "C'mon Father you know we don't get into no trouble" Nicole says in a sort of sarcastic voice.  He raises his eyebrows looking down at Nicole.  "Please just don't do anything stupid. That's all I pray for, for you lot to stay outta trouble."  "That's it?" I say.  "That's it i swear"  "Ya know, priests shouldn't swear" Mikey replies with a quiet laugh.  "And kids like you shouldn't be hanging out on street corners at this time of night" Father Bobby replies.  We all hesitate.  "Well, you don't look busy. You're coming with me" Father Bobby demands in a kind way.  "What where we going?" Tommy asks.  "I'm delivering newspapers and magazines to the elderly and disabled around the neighbourhood. Your mother said you'd love to help" He says nodding in my direction.  "Yeah I bet she did" I say sarcastically.  We were interrupted by fat Mancho locking up.  "What the fuck do you think my shop is? some sort of camp?" Fat Mancho says whilst turning the key in the door.  "Nice to see you too Fat Man" Mikey says with his arm around Nicole. He turns to see Nicole and raises his eyebrows.  "Hey Barbie, that offer ain't gonna last forever" he winks at Nicole. Making Mikey very agitated.  "I have no interest in your fuckin' offer whatsoever!" Nicole says through gritted teeth. Michael frowning looking confused.  "Woah, hey, c'mon lets go" Father Bobby guides us all to leave.  "Look don't go messing with my girl, you'll have me to answer to if you do" Father Bobby says firmly to Fat Mancho.  We walk away with all of us confused except Nicole and myself, both of us knowing exactly what Fat Mancho was on about.  "Hey, what the hell was that about?" Mikey says stopping Nicole by putting both his hands on her shoulders.  "It's nothin" she says brushing his hands off.  "It's obviously something! Is he hittin' on ya?!" He says looking at Nicole concern filled his eyes.  "No, look honestly it's nothing I'd tell you otherwise, okay? don't worry about it" She says smiling at Mikey, who eventually let's it drop. Father Bobby smiled at her in a concerned way.  To this day nore me or Nicole have told Michael what Fat Mancho was going on about, we figured it's best he didn't know.  After two hours of posting newspapers and magazines, Father Bobby treated us all to a drink as a thank you for helping him.  "No! No way" Father Bobby says sternly.  "Oh, c'mon just a little one" Mikey replies.  "Your parents won't be happy"  "Who gives a shit about parents, they don't give a shit about us, plus mine won't even be home until early hours this mornin'" Mikey replies.  He hesitates.  "Oh ok" Father Bobby gives in.  "Hey Marv, five Shandy's over here please" He called over behind the bar.  "C'mon, a shandy seriously?" John replies screwin up his face.  "Hey look, I'm supposed to be settin' a good example, I shouldn't even be gettin' you a shandy" Father Bobby tells us.  Nicole P.O.V  I sit silently totally oblivious to the story Tommy is telling, Mikes arm draped around my shoulders. I'm just thinking of the night I got attacked in the ally and what the fuck Gary will do to me tonight, one of my worst fears. I know I act all strong but in reality I'm petrified.  Our drinks arrive, I can feel Marv's eyes on me, Mikes arm pulls me closer. I love Michael.  "I'll be right back" I say standing up and walking towards the door. I lean towards the brick wall of the bar, soon to be joined by Father Bobby.  We're both silent, then he softly says "Ya know, you don't have to live in fear like you're doing"  I remained silent, feeling my eyes filling up.  "You've got four boys in there who love you and care for you, one who loves you in a different way but you know what I'm getting at" This forces a little laugh outta me.  It's as if Father Bobby knows what I'm feeling.  "And, you've got a dad standing right next to you, who loves you as if you were his real daughter" tears start to stream down my face at this.  Father Bobby pulls me in for a hug, as I sob out the tears.  "You're a strong girl Nicole" he whispers through my hair.  I pull away to wipe my tears only to find Michael stood at the door concern filled in his eyes.  Father Bobby gestures for Michael to come over here. But I meet him half way and give him a tight hug, Father Bobby pats Mikey on the shoulder giving him a slight smile, he then walks back inside to the others.  "Shh, it's okay" Mikey says stroking my hair.  I pull away and he cups my face, kissing me passionately. I smile at his reaction, causing him to play with my hands.  "Ya know, I've got an empty house" he says raising his eyebrows.  "Is this your idea of an invitation?" I say, he laughs in a reply.  "Lets go" I say, anything to get away from Gary for the night.  He links my hand, both of us wave at Father Bobby, Shakes, Tommy and John.  "Don't do anything stupid" Father Bobby mouths across to us, Mikey nods his head as a response.  The next mornin' I wake up led on Michaels chest, in his bed. Yes, we did something stupid.  "Shit" I whispered to myself. It's 6:30am.  I sit up grabbing my shirt flung over the curtain railing, my movements woke mike.  "Mornin'" he says rubbing his eyes adjusting to the light.  "Good mornin'" I reply kissing him on the lips, with a smile.  "Shit, 6:30. We'd better get you home." Michael says sitting up.  "I can't believe I slept the whole night, sorry." I say.  "Whatcha sorry for? I'm sure not" he replies winking at me.  "Whatta bout your old man? Do you think he noticed I've stayed the night" I say worried.  "Please, he probably didn't even come home last night, don't worry about it" he yawns. I nod. "Right, i'll see you later today then" I say leaning in for a kiss. Michael kisses me on the lips and smiles through the kiss. "What?" I say laughing. "Nothing, i'm just gonna miss ya that's all" he says laughing also. The kiss soon turned into a makeout, and more when Mikey pulled me under the covers. "Ha, no I gotta go Mike, no!" I say laughing hysterically. He was kissing my neck and my chest. "Stop it!" I say still laughing. We both stopped at the sound of the front door opening, the a stumble and groans followed. "Shit my dad" he whispered under the covers still on top of me. "Maybe he won't-" I was stopped by Mikeys finger pressed on my lips. He listened intensely. Silence. Both Mike and I frowned. "Stay here" he demands climbing off me, he opens the door silently and slowly. He signals me to come. Groans sound from the living room directly next to Mikeys room. "Okay i'll see you later" Mike say kissing me gently on the lips. "What's going on?!" A low muffled voice sounded from behind us. we both instantly turn on our heels to find Mikes dad, Andy, scruffy haired and looking dazed looking at us. "Did she stay over?!" He demands at Michael. We both stayed silent unknowing of what he would do. "Well... DID SHE?!" He shouts. "Yeah but-" Mike says being cut off by a hand grasped around his neck and receiving a punch from Andy. "STOP IT PLEASE!" I shout trying to pull them apart, it's impossible. "YOU. GO HOME BEFORE I RING YOUR MOTHER!" Andy shouts over to me. I left immediately. Wow, poor Michael having to deal with a drunk gambling man for a dad, no wonder he is how he is. I bite my lip as I make my way home, just down the street. It's 6:45 am and the streets of Hells Kitchen are more than awake. I pass the old man that looks through the abandoned trash cans along the sidewalk, and Cindy's hair salon. Then I reach the front door of my apartment . "Well well, whoever thought Miss Martinez would be up and about this early in the morning" I turn around to be greeted by Tommy. I laugh. "I could say the same about Mr Marcano, you alright?" "Yeah, just nippin' out for some milk, what's your excuse" he says grinning. "Ah just thought I'd catch the sunrise" I reply sarcastically. "Ha likely story. Hey listen are you okay? I mean you looked pretty upset last night" Tommy says concerned. "Oh yeah, yeah I'm fine, thanks" I say looking at the door then to my feet. "Look if your not busy d'ya fancy grabbing somethin' to eat?" I hesitate thinking I really should get home and show my face. "Sure" I reply. We ended up at Diney's Diner grabbing a couple of sodas and bacon Barms, the total just being a $2.94 8:00am "D'ya reckon Mikeys up yet?" Tommy asks as we walk up to his building. I shrug "I dunno we could see I guess, you go i'll wait here" "Okay, one sec" Tommy ran up the stairs. A few seconds later he returned with Michael hot on his heels. "Hey" I say in a sort of guilty tone. "Hey" he smiled to my relief. He had a bruise on his cheek along with a gash on his forehead. I turn grimace "I'm so sorry Michael" I hug him. "Hey, it's not even your fault. I showed him a piece of me" he replied with a laugh. "C'mon lets pick up the other guys".