After Tomorrow

The Pad was shadowy and silent. A lone spider crawled leisurely across the ceiling. Mike was sitting on the edge of the bandstand in the darkness thinking. He couldn't believe that it was really happening. He sat and remembered the day they'd all moved into the Pad – him, Micky, Davy and Peter. Peter. He sighed as he remembered Peter. His dear friend. His breath caught in the back of his throat and a familiar tear slipped down his cheek. He still missed him more than words could ever express. It was like a vivid light had been snatched out of his life – plunging him into gloom and confusion. Mike ran his hands through his hair and laid back onto the cold floor. He stared at the ceiling and tried not to think about tomorrow – tomorrow his life was going to change forever.

Suddenly, a blinding light filled the room and Mike screwed his eyes shut.

"Damn, Mick!" he called out.

Micky started in shock when Mike's voice called out.

"Sorry," he replied, quickly flicking the light back off. "I didn't know you were out here. What time is it?"

"About 2.30," Mike said quietly, opening his eyes and sitting up. "I couldn't sleep."

Micky stumbled across the Pad in the darkness, feeling his way. He finally reached the bandstand and sat down next to Mike.

"Me either," he sighed.

They sat together in silence for a few minutes – their quiet breathing was the only sound stirring in the Pad.

"This is horrible," Micky said after a while. "This shouldn't be happening."

"I know," Mike replied, biting his lip. "But it is. It's too late now – everything's arranged."

After tomorrow they would no longer be roommates. They'd tried their hardest, but the two of them just couldn't afford the rent on their own. They'd talked about getting another roommate, but neither of them could stand the thought of somebody moving in and replacing the two friends they'd lost. So they had no other choice but to move out – separately. Mike was moving back to Texas to live with his Mother, where he was going to work in his Uncle's grocery store to earn his keep. Micky was going to LA to move in with his cousin who worked in a music shop and had arranged an interview for Micky. Everything was arranged – they were leaving tomorrow. Going their separate ways.

"Will I ever see you again?" Micky asked in a small voice. His hand reached out in the darkness and settled against Mike's.

Mike patted his hand gently and said, "Of course you will – don't be silly. We'll see each other."

But deep down, Mike knew that this was a lie. Deep down he knew that this was the last night he was ever going to spend with his friend and it was killing him inside. He squeezed Micky's hand as he repeated, "We'll see each other."

Micky sniffed loudly and brushed the tears from his cheeks. He didn't know how he was going to survive without Mike. Mike had been the only thing that had kept him from going insane after Peter died. The two of them had clung desperately to each other and somehow managed to carry on living. But now that was all over – after tomorrow they'd be alone.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Micky's cousin Etty pulled up outside the pad in his beat up Volkswagen. He honked the horn loudly and waited. Inside, Micky and Mike were saying their last farewells to the place they would always call home.

They stood together at the open door – both reluctant to take that small step outside. Once they stepped out of the door, that would be it...forever. Micky took one last look around the room. Everything was stripped bare, just how it had been when they moved in three years ago. There was the table where they'd sat and enjoyed Peter's various attempts at culinary cuisine. There was the sofa which Micky had hidden behind on Halloween – jumping out at Davy in the middle of the night and scaring him to death. And there was the bandstand – there was the bandstand where they had played Mike's music. But the music was gone. The guitar and drums had been sold. Neither of them could face playing without Peter and Davy.

"Ready to go?"

Micky flinched as Mike said those words, putting his hand on his shoulder.

"We have to go, Mick."

Micky turned to look at his friend, tears glistening in his bright eyes.

"I can't," he whispered. "I can't leave you. I can't leave this. I can't, Mike..."

His voice disappeared to nothing, his breath came in hiccups and he sank down to the floor. Mike knelt down gently beside him and put his arms around him.

"We have to go," he said. "Don't do this – don't cry."

Micky took a deep breath and wiped his eyes. "I can't believe that I'm never going to see this place again." He paused and then added, "Never see Peter...or Davy...or...or..."

He looked at Mike, who nodded, understanding what Micky wanted to say.

"We'll see each other again," Mike said, hoping his voice sounded more confident than he felt. In truth, he knew that Micky was right.

"Lets go," he said quietly and pulled Micky to his feet. Without looking back, they stepped outside and closed the door.

***

Etty was driving Mike to the bus station and then going back to LA with Micky. They arrived at the bus station after a silent 25 minute drive. Neither Mike nor Micky could think of anything to say that would make the parting any more bearable. Etty pulled up outside the station and Mike pushed open the door and jumped out. Micky took a deep breath and climbed out after him – this wasn't going to be an easy goodbye to say.

"Take as long as you need," Etty whispered to Micky as he climbed out. He could see how hard this was for both of them.

Micky smiled gratefully in return and with a heart as heavy as lead, he followed Mike into the bus station.

They sat together on a cold wooden bench, the icy wind biting at their faces. The bus station was almost deserted. Mike looked at his watch – his bus was due in 6 minutes. 6 more minutes until he had to leave his best friend behind and start a new life. He didn't want to go back home to Texas but he knew that it was the only realistic option. A while back, Micky had suggested that they get a smaller apartment together in the city, but Mike had dismissed the idea – even a smaller apartment would be way more than they could afford. No, the only option was the road they were travelling down now. Of course, they'd always be able to write to each other and phone every once in a while long distance, but it wouldn't be the same. They'd spent every single day of the past three years together – having to say goodbye was going to be heartbreaking for them both.

"Well..." Micky said, not because he had anything in particular to say, but because he felt like he should say something. This was the last time he was going to see Mike for a long time, possibly forever. He felt like he should have something profound to say, but he couldn't think of a thing. His brain felt cloudy – blurred somehow, with all the emotion he was feeling inside.

"Well..." Mike repeated, smiling wistfully. "I guess we should probably say goodbye."

Micky nodded, looking down at the pavement. A lump filled his throat. It was really happening – Mike was really leaving.

"It's been wonderful," Mike managed to say. "You'll always be my brothers. You and.." he swallowed, "..and Peter. Even Davy."

Micky looked up, surprised to hear Mike speak Davy's name. "Have you heard anything about what's happened to him?"

Mike shook his head. "No. I'm not sure that I care. But I guess no matter what we feel about him now, we can't just erase what he meant to us before..." he broke off.

Micky nodded again. It was easier not to speak. He glanced up at the large clock above them – two minutes until the bus was due to arrive.

"I'll write," Mike said. "And I'll call when I get there."

"I gave you Etty's number, right?" Micky asked nervously.

"Yeah, I've got it," Mike replied with a small smile.

"I'm...I'm r-really gonna m-miss you," Micky faltered, leaning his head forward and holding it in his hands, running his fingers through his hair. "I honestly don't think I could've got through the last three months without you."

Mike closed his eyes and repeated over and over in his head that he wasn't going to cry. This was happening and nothing was going to change it now. This part of his life was over.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Mick," he said tenderly, putting an arm around his friend's shoulders. Micky turned and wrapped his arms tightly around Mike's body, burying his face in Mike's overcoat. Mike fought back tears and hugged Micky close for the last time.

The final moments passed before Micky's eyes in a blur. One minute Mike was standing next to him, saying that everything would be alright in the end, and then he was gone, waving sadly from behind dirty glass windows as the bus pulled out of the station. Micky stood and watched Mike disappear out of his life with red eyes and tear stained cheeks. He stood for a few minutes, feeling numb, feeling alone, feeling lost. It wasn't until about 5 minutes had passed, that he remembered the piece of paper that Mike had pressed into his palm as he climbed aboard the bus. Hands trembling, he unfolded the note and read,

`Dear Micky. Brothers for life. Love Michael.'

Micky smiled through the tears. Brothers for life. He knew they would be together again...eventually. Even if many months or even years should pass, he'd be with Mike again. Be with his brother.

***

As the bus left the city behind and began the long drive to Dallas, Mike sat with his head hanging low, not even trying to conceal the lone tear which traced it's way down his cold cheek.

A moment later, a friendly voice said, "Here."

Mike looked up. The girl who was sitting in the seat across the aisle from him was holding out a hankerchief and smiling warmly.

Mike smiled in return and gratefully took the hankerchief from her and wiped his eyes.

"I saw you at the station," the girl said, speaking with a quiet southern accent. "It looked like a tough goodbye."

Mike nodded and said, "It was. I'm probably never going back there again."

"Never say never," the girl said with a smile. "Who knows what tomorrow will bring."

Mike thought about this for a moment. He wasn't sure whether it was the girl's words or her pretty face, but he suddenly felt a little better.

"My name's Mike," he said, extending his hand towards the girl.

"Paulette," she replied, taking his hand in hers. "It's good to meet you, Mike."

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