Time for a Change

Birthdays and Stories

      Two days had passed since the encounter and Michelangelo was nervous. He knew it was his responsibility to make sure Emma didn't tell anyone about his existence, but he couldn't help but wonder if the only reason that she didn't freak out that night was because it was dark and she couldn't see him clearly. For all he knew She could have thought he was just a large man in a costume.

     All these thoughts swirled around in Mikey's mind as the young turtle drove through the city to a kid's birthday party.

Yes, you heard me right, Cowabunga Carl was still around!

     Even though Leo had come back three years ago, Mikey and Donnie had decided to keep their (cough* horrid cough*) jobs because the money came in handy. Of course this didn't mean that the boys wish they had better jobs.

     For Mikey, even though he loved kids, I just wished they would stop trying to kill him as a birthday game. But he knew that this was the closest he could get to humans without them literally trying to kill him. Of course it wasn't all bad.

     In fact, if you over looked the beatings he got from the kids, it was quite fun. Mikey enjoyed talking to the adults during his job and seeing what kids were theirs and what they did in life. There was also the fact that every once in a while he would come across a kid that was different from the rest. A kid that, instead of beating him, wanted to hug him or talk to him, and it was kids like those that made the job worthwhile.

     Arriving at the home where the birthday was Mikey parked in a nearby alleyway and got ready to be pummeled by a dozen kids. Once he had his mask and foam nun-chucks, he walked to the house and knocked on the door. A man opened the door and invited him in, saying that the kids were in the back.

     When Mikey got to the kids he struck a pose and started to swing the nun-chucks around. "Happy Birthday Dudes!"

      The kids screamed in joy and started taking out their foam weapons ready to fight. Chuckling, Mikey let them come at him, blocking as many hits as he could without hurting the kids. This went on for about an hour before the kids were called in for cake and Mikey was left on the ground alone. Sitting up, Mikey decided that it wasn't the worst party he'd been to, and he got ready to leave.

"Would you like any cake before you go?" a women asked as she handed him the check.

"Nah. But thanks for the offer! You have a good day Miss!"

     Mikey heard a faint 'you too' as he left the house and headed towards the alleyway. When Mikey got to the van he smiled and patted himself on the back. Another job well done, and another check for the bank!

     Throwing his mask and fake weapons into the back of the van Mikey suddenly felt a weight on his back.

     "I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!" Turning, Mikey found Skyler attached to him. "I knew I would see you again! Momma said that if we did, that you would call first, but I knew better! I knew it!"

Smiling Mikey took the child off of his shell and faced him.

"Heya Skyler! What are you doing here?"

     "Me and Mommy are going to take a picnic! We were going to the art museum but then I saw you. Momma didn't believe me But I knew it was you!..."

     As the boy trailed on Mikey took notice that Skyler's mother was not around. "Ahh... Skyler?"

"Yes?" the boy asked.

"Did you run away from your mother again?"

     A silence went over the two. Skyler's eyes were big and a small look of worry came over the child's face. "Oh-no! Mommy's going to be mad at me again for running of!"