It was a warm sunny day outside when Micky was standing at the bridge with his arms on the railings. He felt a hand on his shoulder and heard someone ask, "You ok?"
"Yeah" Micky replied. "How are you?"
"I'm fine" the voice answered back. "You feel like talking about it?"
"Nah. I'm fine. Thanks for asking though" he replied.
"Anytime. You know I'm always here for you if you need me," he heard.
"I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart" he told his friend.
"I know" she replied as she walked down the bridge farther.
Micky watched as his friend walked away. He loved her so much even though he couldn't tell her because he was too afraid of ruining their perfect relationship with each other.
He walked down the bridge and joined her at the beach. They sat in the sand watching the waves. He put his arms around her and just held her all night long.
That following day Micky was packing up the car with his drums when he called out, "I'm ready now. How about everyone else?"
"I'm coming," Peter replied.
"Yeah, me too", Davy yelled.
"I'm here", Mike replied as he was putting his guitar back in the case.
There was a knock at the door and Micky answered it. He saw his friend standing there and said, "Hey, we were just on our way out. What's going on?" His friend looked at him and walked away.
"I'll be right back," Micky yelled out to his friends as he walked down the sidewalk.
"Sylvia, what's wrong?" Micky asked.
"My parents are getting a divorce Micky. I just found out last night when I got home." she replied to him.
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?" he answered her back.
"I just want someone to hold me Micky" she answered.
"We were getting ready for the concert Sylvia. I wish I could stay, but I need to go to the concert" he told her.
"I know" she replied. "Go and have a good time."
"Why don't you come with us Sylvia? I can get you in for free." he asked.
"Nah, I don't feel much like celebrating tonight Micky. You go and have a good time. I'll be fine." she replied.
Mike, Peter, and Davy all walked to the car and looked at Micky.
Micky held up one finger and said, "Just a minute."
Micky followed Sylvia down the sidewalk onto the beach and asked, "Well what about I find you after the concert and then I'll hold you in my arms all night long?" he asked.
"No, you have publicity and then autographs after the concert Micky and it will be hours later before you return home and I might be asleep by then" she answered.
"Well at least let me try" Micky replied.
"I don't know where I'll be Micky." she answered.
"What do you mean by that Sylvia?" he questioned.
"I mean I don't know where I'll be staying Micky. I can't afford a hotel and I'm certainly not going back home tonight. I just want someone to hold me in their arms Micky." she told him. "Have a good time tonight." She walked off down the beach.
Micky shook his head and then walked up to his friends and Mike asked, "Everything ok?"
"Her parents are getting a divorce Mike. She just found out last night and she really wants someone to hold her and be with her tonight. She's always been there for me Mike, always! She's cancelled plans to be there when I needed a friend; and, unfortunately, I have to be at this concert tonight and can't be there the one time in her life when she needs me." Micky told his friends.
"We can handle the concert without you Micky." Mike replied. "You need to be with her."
Micky's eyes lit up and he asked, "Really? You wouldn't mind?"
"You need to be there for her Micky." Mike answered.
"Yeah I agree" Peter replied.
"Me too" Davy replied.
Micky's face lit up and he said, "Thanks guys, you are the best!"
Micky ran down to the beach and sat next to Sylvia and held her in his arms.
"How will we handle the concert tonight Mike?" Peter asked.
"Davy will play drums tonight and you and I will play guitar. He really needs to be with her tonight. She didn't look very well and I'm kind of worried about what she might do." he answered.
"You don't mean...?" Peter asked.
"I don't know" Mike replied. "It just seems the best thing right now is for Micky to be with her tonight."
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Over the next two weeks, Micky rearranged everything so he could spend every waking moment with Sylvia.
"You want to get something to eat?" he asked with a smile.
"No, I'm not hungry" she replied.
"You need to eat Sylvia. You're losing weight like crazy, and I'm concerned about your well-being." he told her with concern.
"What I need Micky, is a friend that will just be here for me and listen to me when I talk. I'm 26 years old Micky and my parents are getting divorced after 35 years of marriage. You don't understand me. I'm hurting Micky. I just need someone who will listen to me and just give me a hug and hold me in their arms and not judge me about what I'm currently looking like and just let me cry on their shoulder. I shouldn't even talk to you about this because you don't understand me." She spat at him.
"I'm trying to understand Sylvia, I'm really trying." he told her.
Sylvia took off down the beach and Micky followed after her. They sat at the beach staring at the ocean waves and Micky was quiet and just let Sylvia cry on his shoulder until she couldn't cry any longer.
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That next month Micky was so busy getting ready for the upcoming concert they were performing at a football game and busy filming and everything else that the powers that be wanted him to do. He couldn't see Sylvia nor was he able to talk to her either.
One night Micky said, "Mike, I haven't seen her in a month or even heard from her. I need to see her tonight. Why won't you let me see her, please?" Micky pleaded to his friend.
"Okay fine. Go and see her tonight Micky. But tomorrow we are back to getting everything ready. Ok?" Mike replied.
"Thanks Mike" Micky beamed as he took off out of the house and ran to his car and drove off.
Micky pulled up to Sylvia's house, parked the car, and got out and walked up to the doorway. He knocked on the door and eagerly awaited someone to answer. Someone opened the door and asked, "Yes, what is it?"
"Is Sylvia home please? I'm Micky and I'm her best friend."
"No. She's not here and she'll never be returning home." the voice answered back.
"Where is she?" Micky asked determined for an answer. "I really need to see her."
"She's in a hospital in New York. And that's all I can tell you, son. Please go away now." The voice demanded.
Micky said, "Hospital? Why's she at a hospital sir?" There was no answer.
Micky felt sick as he walked to his car and got inside. His mind was racing with all kinds of thoughts. "Hospital? New York?" His chest was tightening up and he couldn't breathe. He knew he had worked himself into a panic attack; although he was able to drive himself back to the house. He got out of the car and walked up to the doorway.
Peter asked, "How was she?"
Micky cried, "She's in New York at a hospital. And she's never returning home. Call me an ambulance." Micky passed out cold on the floor. His friends all gathered around him as they waited for an ambulance.
At the hospital, Mike was on the phone with the powers that be discussing everything that needed to be done. Peter and Davy were pacing the floors.
Mike walked back to his friends and Peter asked, "Well?"
"We've got an extension for as long as we need. We can't do anything without Micky in this" Mike replied.
"Any news yet?" Mike asked.
"Nope, none yet." Peter replied.
Just then the Doctor walked out to them and asked, "Are you the friends of Mr. Dolenz?"
"Yes we are" the friends replied in unison. "How is he?"
"He's very sick gentlemen. Very sick." the doctor replied.
"What's he sick with?" Peter asked.
"A broken heart" the Doctor replied. "He's sick with a very bad broken heart."
"Can we see him?" Peter asked.
"Yes you can. But, under no circumstances, will you mention the woman in the Hospital in New York. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Doctor" the three friends replied.
They followed the Doctor down the hallway and into Micky's room. They walked in and Micky was wearing an oxygen mask on his face. Peter felt his knees go weak and Davy said, "Let me help you Peter."
Peter sat in the chair and just stared at Micky. Micky's breathing got very thready and erratic and Mike called, "Nurse" as he was pushing the call button on the bed.
The Nurse walked in and Mike asked, "Why is he breathing like that?"
The nurse replied, "He's dreaming. He's going to be okay everyone, but his breathing will slow down once he gets enough oxygen in his system. That's why he's wearing the oxygen mask."
Mike thanked the nurse on her way out. Peter sat there watching Micky's tummy rising and falling very fast, and then said, "I need some air." Peter walked out of Micky's room.
"Should I go check on him?" Davy asked.
"No, just let him be," Mike replied.
Outside the hospital, Peter walked to a bench and sat down. He took a few deep breaths and then folded his hands. Peter was really a spiritual person; however, he never told his friends about it. He prayed the following prayer:
"Dear God, I come to you today on behalf of Micky Dolenz and Sylvia Bradley. Please Lord help them with whatever they are going through right now. Only you know that answer Lord. We do not. You put these two together as soul mates for a reason Lord. Please help to heal their bodies and make them well again. And also, please let us hear from Sylvia to know she's okay. Thank you Lord for blessing us with their beautiful friendships. I pray this in your precious son Jesus' name. Amen. I am your servant forever Lord. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen."
Peter took some more deep breaths and wiped the tears from his eyes and then walked back to Micky's room and sat down. Micky was still breathing fast, but Peter knew that his friend would be okay. Mike and Davy had both taken chairs and they were just waiting now. Peter took his friend's hand and said, "You will be okay Micky. We love you." He just watched Micky's tummy breathing in and out for the longest time until he fell asleep holding his friend's hand.
That night Peter, Mike, and Davy all went down to the cafeteria for dinner. There was still no change in Micky's condition. Mike picked up a piece of pizza and put it on his plate; while Davy had steak and mashed potatoes; Peter had a sandwich, fries, and a dish of yogurt. He was really hungry since they did not have lunch that day. At the table Peter said, "Let me pray over our food to bless our bodies." Mike and Davy closed their eyes and didn't think much about their friend's comment, as their minds were more concerned on Micky. Peter prayed and then they all started to eat.
"I wonder why she's in the hospital?" Mike asked.
"Don't know" both Peter and Davy replied.
"You don't suppose?" Mike asked.
An angry Peter said, "Just stop it Mike. Don't go wondering things and making them worse. And don't you dare mention that in front of Micky. It will kill him. He's madly in love with that woman. Anyone can see it."
"I'm sorry." Mike replied. "Just making conversation."
"Well stop it!" Peter shouted.
"Calm down Peter" Davy replied. "Everyone is looking at us."
Peter stood up and threw his food in the trash and said, "Forget it, I've lost my appetite now." He left to go back up to Micky's room.
"Nice one there, Mike," Davy replied.
"I'm sorry, I was only trying to find an answer." Mike replied.
Before Peter went into Micky's room he walked outside and breathed some fresh air. "How dare he say those kinds of things about Sylvia" Peter ranted. "She would never try to harm herself, never. She's not that way." Peter sat down and checked his messages at home on his machine. He had two of them. One from his mother and one from Sylvia
"Hey Pete, it's me Sylvie. I understand Micky went to my house today. Although he was at the wrong house Peter. He was one house off. I felt so badly when my crazy neighbor told us that some guy came looking for me and told him that I was in New York at some hospital. I've been trying to reach Micky ever since it happened and I can't find him anywhere. Please Pete, tell Micky I'm fine. Call me when you get this message. Thanks, Sylvie." Peter almost broke a blood vessel he jumped up and down so fast.
He said, "I knew it wasn't true. I knew it wasn't. Thank you Lord Jesus. Thank you." Mike and Davy walked outside and saw Peter dancing around.
"Everything ok?" Mike asked.
"Sylvia's okay, Mike. She left me a message on my home machine. Micky went to the wrong house. She lived in the house next to the one Micky went to. She's not in a hospital in New York. I knew that was too far off. She's alive and wants me to call her when I get the message." Mike looked at Davy and they both breathed a sigh of relief. Peter dialed Sylvia's number that Micky had given him.
"Hello Sylvia?" Peter asked.
"OMGosh Peter, you got my message. Praise God. Where's Micky?" she asked.
"Um, well Sylvia, something kind of happened when your neighbor gave Micky the news you were in a hospital."
"What happened Peter? Please tell me, please, please. I'll flip out on the phone. Please tell me. Where are you?" Sylvia begged and pleaded.
"We're at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sylvia." Peter replied. He heard a click and then the line went dead.
"Well?" Davy asked.
"I think she's coming up here because when I told her the phone went dead." Peter replied.
"I'm going to go check on Micky," Mike said.
"I'll wait here for Sylvia," Peter replied.
Twenty minutes later Sylvia arrived and was breathing like crazy. "Pete" she gasped. "Where are you?"
Peter walked out and said, "Right here Sylvia. Calm down. You didn't have to rush over here."
"Where is he?" she gasped hard.
"Catch your breath and then I'll take you to him okay, Sylvia?" Davy replied. Sylvia put her hands on her knees and breathed as fast as she could until her normal breathing pattern developed.
"I could kill my neighbor for doing that to Micky" she told the guys.
"I'm surprised, Micky had the wrong house?" Peter asked.
"He never really knew where the exact one was because I never gave him the exact address." Sylvia replied.
"Oh." Davy and Peter replied looking at each other.
"Where is he please?" Sylvia pleaded.
Davy and Peter took Sylvia down the hallway to Micky's room. Sylvia walked inside and cried out, "Oh my gosh! Micky baby, I'm so sorry. It's me Sylvie, I'm fine sweetie, I'm fine. I love you Micky. I love you so much. Come back to me please." she cried over and over again to him.
"What is all the noise about?" the nurse asked walking in the room.
"This is the girl who was supposed to be in New York. She's fine and healthy. It was all a misunderstanding." Mike told her.
"This man is very ill and you all need to leave him alone so he can rest. Go into the waiting room. One visitor at a time from now on." the nurse bawked at all of them. Mike made a face at her on her way out the door.
"Come on guys, let Sylvia have her time with him now." Mike said.
Sylvia blew a kiss at Mike and then pulled her chair up close to Micky and said, "Baby, you were at the wrong house. I was living right next door to the house you showed up at. I'm sorry my neighbor played that cruel, mean, and heartless trick on you. I will make him pay for it. I'm fine baby. Please come back to us, please."
Micky's breathing got faster again and that really frightened Sylvia, although she refused to call that witch of a nurse in the room to assess the situation.
She put her right hand on Micky's tummy and said, "Feel my hand baby? I'm here right next to you. Just slow down your breathing for me please. I love you. Listen to my voice. Follow my directions okay sweetie? Just try to slow your breathing down for me. Take a nice deep breath in and hold it for a second, then exhale very slowly. Feel my hand on your tummy baby? Breathe in pushing my hand upward nice and slowly and breathe out letting my hand fall slowly. Can you do that for me Micky?"
Sylvia watched in anticipation and she coached him slowly, "That's right baby, nice and slowly. In and out. In and out. Just like your blowing up a balloon. Breathe in and the balloon fills with air. Breathe out and the balloon deflates." Micky's breathing started to slow down with her commands that she was giving him. She smiled when she saw his breathing slowly starting to return to normal. She kissed his forehead and said, "That's right. You're doing great baby. Nice and slowly; nice and slowly; in and out; in and out."
The Nurse walked in again and Sylvia whispered, "Look at him." The Nurse watched as Sylvia's hand was rising and falling slowly.
The Nurse smiled at her and asked, "Is he following your commands?"
Sylvia whispered, "Yes. He's doing great."
The Nurse went out to get the Doctor who came in and watched with amazement.
Sylvia continued on, "That's right baby, nice and slowly. You're doing great." The Doctor took the oxygen mask off of Micky and they watched.
Pretty soon Micky started to breathe again slowly and normally. Sylvia had tears dripping down her eyes. She was so happy.
The Doctor whispered, "Great job Miss."
Sylvia kissed Micky's forehead and said, "You're doing great baby. Just relax and breathe. No worries. I'm safe and healthy and I'm so in love with you."
She wrapped her hand around his and kissed his hand. The Nurse and Doctor were still observing and they saw Micky's hand grip Sylvia's fingers.
She whispered, "Did you see that?"
"Yes we did" the Doctor replied. "He's coming around."
The Doctor checked Micky's pupils and they were dilating correctly. His blood pressure and heart rate were coming back down to normal. Sylvia kissed his hand again and said, "That's right baby. I love you. I'm fine."
"Sylvia" Micky whispered.
"Yes baby" Sylvia answered happily.
"Will you marry me?" Micky asked.
"Yes baby I will marry you." Sylvia replied with tears in her eyes.
"I love you Sylvia." he whispered.
"I love you too baby." she replied.
He closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Sylvia knew then and there that everything would be okay.
~The End!~