"It depends. Who's making dinner?"
"Micky." Mike said.
"Then, yeah. I'll be okay." Davy grinned.
"I heard that David!" Peter yelled as he entered the room.
Davy flashed him his best little boy smiles.
"Not gonna work." Peter said trying to sound mad.
"Aw, Pete. You're a good cook. Just never, ever make your cream of root beer soup again."
"You liked it! You had two bowls." Peter exclaimed.
"No. That was Micky." Davy giggled.
Peter grinned. "Oh yeah."
Davy gently sat the picture down and glanced at Mike. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. One of us had better go downstairs before Micky burns down the house." Mike laughed.
Davy got up and started to leave the room. "Are you sure you're ok?"
"I'm fine Dave. Go." Mike said.
Peter sat down on his bed. "Well you may have gotten rid of him. You won't get rid of me so easy."
Mike groaned. "This bed is really uncomfortable."
"That's cause it's Davy's bed." Peter laughed. Then turned serious."Come on Mike."
"Ok. You guys know how you were talking about your fathers and fatherhood? Well I don't know if I can be a father. My dad walked out on us when I was two. I don't have any memories. I don't even know what he looks like. I mean when the time comes am I going to leave to?"
Peter walked over by Davy's bed and sat next to Mike. "You're going to be a great father. You already are one."
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"
"Mike, do you remember the time I got that harp? I accidently sold my soul to the prince of darkness. Who stopped him?"
"Me, I guess."
"Uh-huh. Remember the time Davy's grandfather almost sent him back to England? Who stopped him?"
"We all did." Mike said.
"Yes, but it was you who came up with that great speech. Remember?"
"Yeah, but it didn't do much good. We had to go to the airport." Mike said.
"Who's idea was that?" Peter asked smiling.
"Well mine. I didn't want him to go. Just like I didn't want you to lose your soul."
"Now let me ask you this. When Micky has a problem, who does he always go to first?"
Mike smiled. "Me."
"And Davy?"
"Me." Mike nodded. "I dig it Pete. But you guys are friends. When I become a father for a baby, am I going to leave?"
"You're not your father. I don't know your father-"
"That makes two of us." Mike said bitterly.
"But I know you're not him." Peter finished. "You could have bailed on us a long time ago, but you didn't."
Mike sighed. "Maybe you're right. I dunno know big Pete. I do know one thing though. I'm getting out of Davy's bed. My neck is starting to cramp."
Peter laughed. "Let's go see what Micky fixed for dinner."
"Yeah, if he and Davy ate it and aren't sick then we'll eat it." Mike joked.
The two laughed.
A few days passed. Mike seemed to still be alittle depressed. One
afternoon he noticed a package for Davy.
"Hey, Dave! You got something in the mail!" he yelled.
Davy entered and quickly unwrapped the package. It was a shirt just like Peter's old one.
"Cool! Hey Pete! You got another shirt like your old blue and white one! Can I burrow it?! I have a date tonight!"
"There's a newsflash." Mike joked.
"Shut up." Davy laughed. He then picked up a enevelope. In it were baby pictures. "Aww. Hey, Mike. Look at these." he smiled.
Mike smiled as he looked at them. "Sarah's a beautiful baby." he thought.
A few hours passed. Davy put on the new shirt. He talked Peter into loaning it to him. He looked in the mirror fixing his hair. Micky entered and rolled his eyes.
"Your hair's fine babe." he chuckled.
"Excuse me moptop. I wanna look nice."
"Whatever. Don't forget be home by ten. It's a school night after all. And don't talk to any strangers." Micky said.
"If you're not home by ten, you're in big trouble young man." Peter added.
Davy rolled his eyes and tossed the brush down. "I'll be home by eleven."
"See that you are." Mike added.
Davy giggled. "Yes dad."
Mike lowered the magazine he had been reading. "What did you call me?"
"Dad." Davy said confused. "I'm sorry. Should I not have done that?"
"No. I mean it's fine. Have a good time." Mike smiled.
"Remember be back at eleven. It looks like rain. Better take an umbrella." Micky grinned.
Davy rolled his eyes again. "Bye." he closed the door.
"What are we gonna do with that boy, huh Michael?" Micky joked.
Mike wasn't hearing any of this. The word "Dad" rang in his head.
Dad. I wanna be called that! I want to be a dad! Peter's right. When my time comes I won't leave. I'm nothing like my dad at all. he thought with a smile.
"Mike? You okay?" Micky asked.
"Yeah, Mick. I'm fine." Mike again smiled. "I'm going to be just fine."