Deaf & Dumb

Peter Makes Up His Mind

Peter stuck his head into the door of the pad. He didn't see anybody around, but he assumed they were in the bedroom. He stepped inside and walked up the stairs to the bedroom. He could hear voices talking in the room so he listened for a few moments.
"Mike, we can't ask Peter to leave. He's part of the band," Davy said.
"Besides you haven't got a good reason why he should leave," Micky said. "I like Peter. I can't imagine the band without him."
"You're okay with bein' second fiddle to a girl who can't even hear us play?" Mike asked.
Someone groaned. "Don't say that. You know he really likes her," Micky said.
"And she's ruinin' this band," Mike said. "Peter never here to practice. He's always with her."
"Peter plays bass. How much does he actually need to practice?" Davy asked.
"Do you think we sound as good without him?" Mike asked. "To practice well we need everyone here."
"I think you're making a mountain out of mole hill," Davy said.
Peter breathed in and knocked on the door. Micky and Davy and Mike became silent. Davy opened the door. He smiled when he saw Peter.
"Hey, Pete," He said letting him in the room.
Peter was quiet as he tried to decide what he needed to do. "I think it might be best if I leave you guys for awhile..." He said finally.
Davy and Micky stared at Peter shocked. "You can't leave!" Davy exclaimed. "What about the band?"
"I just need some time to think about what I need to be doing," Peter said.
"If it's because of what Mike was saying to you, you gotta know me and Davy don't agree with him," Micky said.
Peter shrugged. "It is, but it isn't. I've been confused lately. I just need time to think," He said.
Micky's brow furrowed. "If that's what you want man. Davy can play bass for awhile I guess," He said.
"It's what I want," Peter said. "I have a few relatives around here that I can stay with until I know what to do. It's just so you guys can have a breather from me."
Mike had a frown on his face. Peter packed his things quickly. He wasn't sure who's house he'd stay with, but he just needed to get away from Mike. He hadn't thought of leaving until he overheard Mike and Micky and Davy talking. If Mike wanted him gone he wouldn't impose. The only thing he felt bad about was that he was leaving the group without a good bassist.
Peter walked out the door with a backpack full of his clothing and his bass hanging at his side. Micky and Davy, though upset that he was leaving, helped him get his bass amp out the door and to the Monkeemobile. He got in the backseat and asked Micky to drive him to his aunt's house giving directions as they went. Micky and Davy walked with Peter to her front door. Davy shook his head for a moment. "You really don't have to go, babe," He said.
Micky nodded his head.
"I don't have to, but it's better if I do for awhile," Peter said shrugging.
Davy and Micky looked at him sadly as he knocked on door of his aunt's house. A light haired woman answered the door. She caught sight of Peter and smiled. "Oh, sweetheart!" She exclaimed hugging him. "What're you doing here?"
"Can I stay here for awhile?" Peter asked.
His aunt was quiet for moment. "You can," She said. "Who're these two boys?"
"These are my friends Davy and Micky," Peter replied.
His aunt smiled at him. "Thanks for bringing him. I don't know where you can put the amp, maybe in the garage," She said. "I'll show you."
Peter's aunt walked out to the garage. She opened it for Micky and Davy, and they put the amp in a corner of the garage. She smiled at them. "Thanks for dropping him off," She said. "If you boys ever need anything my door's always open."
Peter's aunt smiled at him. She led him inside. "Do you want anything to eat?" She asked.
Peter shook his head and sat down at the counter silently. He had a sad frown on his face. His aunt frowned and started to boil some water. She kept looking over at Peter. He was slumped over with his face rested on his hand. She filled two cups with hot water and put a couple of tea bags in. She sat down beside him and pushed a mug towards him.
"This'll make you feel better," She promised.
Peter frowned. "I really don't feel like it," He said.
"Sweetheart, just drink it," Peter's aunt said taking a sip of hers.
Peter took a drink. He looked over at his aunt who was watching him quietly. The more Peter drank and the longer he drank the happier he began to feel. His aunt smiled at him and washed out his cup after he finished it, and she washed hers out too.
"Now go to bed," She said helping him up and walking his to an empty bedroom. She laid him down on the bed and turned out the lights. Peter fell asleep quickly and had the best night sleep he'd had in awhile.
Peter woke up and stretched. He walked out of the bedroom and looked around the house. It was unusually quiet. He checked his aunt's bedroom, and she wasn't there. He knocked on the bathroom door and no one answered. He pushed against it, but it didn't open. He pushed again as he heard something fall. He pushed harder and the door swung open. His aunt was laying on the floor. A bottle of soap was laying on the ground beside her shattered.
Peter kneeled beside her. She still had a pulse, a healthy pulse. Her eyes opened and she smiled at him.
"Good morning Peter," She said touching his cheeks.
"Not every morning's gonna be like this, will it?" Peter asked laughing slightly.
His aunt laughed with him. "Nope, just a few," She said standing up. She saw the bottle of soap and sighed.
Peter left to get a broom to sweep up the shattered glass. His aunt sat down on the toilet to catch her breath. Peter came back with a broom and a dustpan. He swept up the mess and threw it away. He help his aunt to the kitchen and made her some coffee. She smiled at him gratefully and drank it down.
"It's nice to have someone else in the house for a change," Peter's aunt said. "Waking up alone on the bathroom floor isn't pleasant."
Peter smiled. "Alright Aunt Shelly," He said.
Aunt Shelly smiled at him and patted his cheek. "Gosh, I've missed you," She said. "You're such a good kid Peter."
Peter smiled again. "I've missed you too," He said.
Aunt Shelly stood up and went to make them some breakfast. The morning progressed normally.