Chapter Four
To stand by your side
Through the thick and thin of life,
Hold you close when you need me most,
Lend an open ear when you struggle with your fears,
And you can always count on me.
–The Moffatts, You Can Count On Me
Nick was about to knock Brian’s door when it opened. Nick recognized the girl as the one from the club. She was smiling at him and straightening her clothes. “Hey there, you’re his buddy right? He’s in the bedroom,” she said, as she pushed past him. Nick frowned. He didn’t know what was going on in Brian’s head last night.
Nick went into the house, and was about to close the door when she stopped him.
“Oh, and he was good, damn good. Quite big for someone of his size, if ya know what I mean,” she giggled, waving him goodbye.
Nick shuddered. He couldn’t understand how Brian could pick up someone who was such, such a whore. Nick ran up to his bedroom, and was surprised to hear someone crying. Looking into the untidy room, he saw Brian on the bed, the sheets covering only his lower half. His bare back was to Nick and he realized that Brian was the one who was crying.
“Frick...?” Brian turned back, amazement showing on his pale face, but it quickly disappeared. He wiped his tears and sat up. Nick walked towards him and sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes taking in the empty wardrobe and the picture of Sue that had been thrown into the bin. “She left you?” he asked gently.
Brian nodded slowly, his eyes downcast. “I threw her out, she was cheating on me with another guy while I was away.”
“I’m sorry, Brian.”
“Don’t be. Guess I was neglecting her, maybe she had needs that were so much urgent than mine, you know?” Nick smiled wryly at Brian. Inside, he felt angry that his best friend was constantly being used in love. He put in so much effort to make it work and the other person just didn’t understand how he felt about love.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Saw no use in it, what can you do? It’s all over and done with.”
“Well, you didn’t have to get that girl, have you lost your taste? She was leaving when I came,” Nick said, shuddering at the thought of the girl.
Brian laughed out loud. “You met her this morning?”
“Duh. Ya know what she said? You’re quite good and big for someone your size,” Nick said, smiling at the redness of Brian’s cheeks.
A companionable silence fell over them. Brian thought that he felt better. Nick did wonders with his problems.
“So what do you think I should do?”
Nick thought for a while. “Well, I guess you could get over her, right?” Brian nodded. He was determined to forget Sue. No one like that deserved his tears and love.
“Anything else besides that?”
Nick stood up and surveyed his room. “Well, you could get your ass off that bed and try to find a maid or something! How can you live in here?” he cried out, looking at the clothes that were strewn across the room, the dusty tables and the yellowing curtains. “I guess Sue didn’t have a nice touch of housework huh?” Nick asked, throwing a towel to Brian. Brian carefully covered himself with the towel and made his way to the bathroom.
“Which Sue are you talking about?” he said, as the door closed behind him.
Nick smiled to himself. Brian will get through this one; he had always been the strong one. He wished that he wouldn’t see Brian breaking down again, which was about six years ago, when his best friend left him. “It’s a good thing you’re leaving for Kentucky in a couple of days…I think you need to get away from this house for a while. Pack up some of your clothes will you? You could stay at my house for the time being,” he yelled at the bathroom door. Nick picked up the clothes on the seats and the floor, and his face screwed up in disgust. “B-rok, you REALLY need a housekeeper! I MEAN IT!”
* *Catherine quickly buttoned her coat. Tommy was on the bed, looking up at her. She was glad that Tommy felt comfortable in a new environment. She knew there wasn’t much in the room, two beds, a table, and an old couch.
“Now, Tommy, Mama has to go look for a job, all right? Will you stay here?” Deep inside she knew it was wrong and didn’t want to leave him, but it was impossible to bring him out.
“B-but Mama, I don’t want to stay here alone! Don’t go!” he started wailing, as he rushed and hugged her.
“Tommy, you’re going to be seven! How can you go to school if Mama do not have enough money?”
“Well, then, I don’t want to go to school! I want to stay with you, make you happy! I don’t want to see you cry again, Mama!” he cried, his head buried in her coat, his arms tight around her waist.
Cassie couldn’t help the tears from falling. Tommy wasn’t a burden; he was a miracle.
Two sharp knocks on the door made Catherine jump. She wiped her tears and opened the door, with Tommy still tugging at her.
It was her landlady, Mrs. Thomas. She was a stout woman with a stern face, but Catherine noticed that her eyes were soft and kind. “Are you Mrs. Patterson?” Catherine was about to say that she was single, but decided against it. “Well, I’m Mrs. Thomas, I guess my daughter already told you. I couldn’t help but overhear, since my room is just across yours.”
“I’m sorry Mrs. Thomas, just that I need to... look for a job, and I can’t possibly bring him with me.” Catherine explained, her voice trembling with fear, hoping that Mrs. Thomas didn’t come to throw her out.
“Well, I was wondering... I could take care of him of him when you’re not around. My children are all grown up, I could do with some new company,” she answered, smiling down at Tommy.
“But...”
“No buts. Take your time, love. It’s really all right, my husband is dead, and I run this business with my daughters. They surely won’t mind, they love children.” Mrs. Thomas patted Catherine’s hand and reached out her stubby hand to Tommy. Slowly, Tommy’s arms loosened and he took Mrs. Thomas’ hand.
Catherine smiled down at Tommy. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Tommy nodded his head eagerly.
“Please don’t worry Mama,” he whispered, hugging Catherine.
Catherine couldn’t resist hugging Mrs. Thomas. “Thank you so much, thank you so much,” she said, tears coming to her eyes. Mrs. Thomas smiled, and ushered her off. Catherine felt joy in her heart. Angels did exist.
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