"Mikey's Weekend"

Chapter Two
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         Dinner was horrible. A big chef salad loaded with avocados? Please. Not that I didn't appreciate the effort my mom put into it, but still. Nothing should feel like that in your mouth. I went to bed and fell asleep. I would like to tell you that I dreamt about Beth, the gorgeous vixen who lives next door, but... I didn't. I dreamed I was riding a Ferris wheel with Emily. I got stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel, and when I was stuck, Emily turned into an avocado. I picked it up and dropped it. I woke up crying. Did I mention my dreams are really weird?
         This Friday promised to be as dull as the previous day. I got on the bus. I went to school. I learned nothing. I passed by kids I didn't know. I didn't see Emily. I saw Chris, though. He's her fuckwad of a deer boyfriend. He was really nice to me. I hated him.
         Arriving home was uneventful, too. My mind felt blank. I saw my 21 year old mooch of a brother. His name is Ray. I should have his room, but alas, I still only have one room. If I had his room, I'd turn it into a studio. He's even more of a fuckwad than Chris. In fact, comparatively, I liked Chris more. That's not to say I wouldn't jump at the chance to kick him in the nuts if the opportunity presented itself. Yet, if I was forced to only kick my brother Ray in the nuts or Chris in the nuts, I would choose Ray.
          "Hey faggot."
          "Hey, Ray. Nice to see you too."
          "Fuck off." It was the best conversation we had had all month. "Mom wants to talk to you." Without acknowledging him, I went to seek out my mom. She was in the kitchen talking with my father. I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I like my mom. Really, I do. She's just such an intense person. My dad is loose. I prefer being around loose people.
          "Oh, Mikey, good, your father and I wanted to talk with you." I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter.
          "What's up?" My dad and mom glanced at each other. I knew nothing good was coming.
          "There's a restaurant in San Diego that's just opening up tomorrow. We need to be there together over the weekend. So... that means we'll be gone overnight. We'll be back Sunday night." I covered my face in my paws.
          "Oh God. That means Ray is in charge, right?" My dad understood what I meant. No one really thought Ray was a shining beacon of responsibility and compassion.
          "Now don't be too upset. We know you're almost an adult and you're pretty much able to take care of yourself. We just wanted to let you know that he'll technically be in charge, so you will have to obey him like you'd obey us." What a horrible notion. My mind frantically raced as I thought of another solution out of this weekend long hell.
          "What if I come with you? Can I? I'd like to see the city." Again, my parents exchanged worried glances with each other. This time my mom chimed in. She tried to sound kind, bless her soul.
          "The thing is, we negotiated the hotel rooms in the consultation fees. The restaurant is paying for us to stay in San Diego, and they've already booked the hotel room for us. It only has one bed, hun. You'll have to stay here. It just won't work out. I'm sorry." I felt like kicking something. Where were Chris and Ray's nuts when you needed them?
          "No, I... I understand. It's fine. I didn't really have plans for the weekend anyway. I'll just work on homework or something while you're gone. It's cool." My mom actually looked earnestly upset for me. I didn't expect the compassion, and it made me feel a little bit better, I suppose. I walked back through the living room and saw Ray. Ray, the drug using, beer chugging idiot. Why the fuck was he in charge of taking care of me? Just because he was born first. That didn't seem fair to me. What does age have to do with anything? Why do we put so much goddamn importance on numbers?
          "So, this weekend, if I tell your fuzzy little ass to get the hell away from me, you're legally supposed to listen to me."
          "You act like I would actually want to be around you. Nobody likes being around you."
          "Trisha does. Looks to me like you're the one without a girlfriend, faggy. That means you're the one no girl wants to be around. Too bad your cock will never get to meet a pussy. It's a real fucking shame." My eyes rolled as I brushed off my brother's insults. I went to my room in silence. I like the quiet. It's so much less stupid than everyone else's voices.

         The sun started to fade away in the west as evening approached. I heard a knock on my door. I could tell it was my father, because he was the only member of my family who bothered to knock before entering my room. I love my dad.
          "Son?"
          "Yeah, come on in, dad." He opened the door and came to sit down on the bed next to me. I moved my science papers away and scooted over a bit to give him some room. We're coyotes, so we're not that big--but my dad is actually pretty tall and wide. I'm so much smaller than him. I'm even small for a coyote. I need to eat more vegetables. Maybe I'll go through another growth spurt and finally be the height I should be.
          "Hey... I understand how frustrating it is to be left alone with your brother in charge."
          "You do?"
          "Yes. I don't want you to think that we don't trust you. We do. But, he is the oldest, and we have to believe he can rise to the occasion and help you if need be. That's why we give him these responsibilities. We're hoping he'll rise to the occasion. You'll get responsibilities soon, too. Don't worry. We're not trying to be unfair." I forced a smile.
          "It's okay dad, really. I don't mind. I'll deal with it." He patted me on the shoulder, and pulled out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. It had a phone number on it.
          "Earlier today, I spoke with the neighbor. Do you remember Bethany?" Of course I remembered her. 
          "Uh, yeah. Sort of. She picked up an avocado."
          "Right. Well, I spoke with her and let her know that we were leaving you two alone here for tonight and tomorrow night. I asked for her phone number so that you can contact her in case of an emergency. She gave it to me, and I want you to keep her number in your cell phone address book. Just in case you need her help." My heart leapt into my throat. I got to have her number in my phone? Maybe today wasn't such a bad day after all.
          "Thanks dad. I'm sure we'll be fine, though." I said to my father as I rushed to enter the number in my cell.
          "I know. We'll be leaving now. Mind your brother, okay? Take care, Mikey." He gave my hand a quick squeeze and started to leave the room. Before he reached the door, he looked back at me. "Oh, and one other thing."
          "What is it, dad?"
          "Don't, uh... don't tell your mother I gave you Beth's phone number." I blushed a little.
          "Why?" My father looked uncomfortable.
          "Well... oh, it sounds so ridiculous. You know how your mother can be over-protective and paranoid. She doesn't trust anyone she doesn't know. She just... has a hard time trusting people. I don't think she trusts... or likes... Beth." I was flabbergasted.
          "I don't understand."
          "Just don't mention it to your mom, okay? I trust her. It's fine. If you need to contact her in case of an emergency, just remember you've got her number, all right?"
          "Yeah, it's fine, no worries." My father nodded his head.
          "Good. Good... well... we'll be on our way now. We'll be back Sunday night, okay? Hang in there until then, Mikey."
          "I will... see you later, dad. Have a safe trip." With a smile, he closed the door, leaving me alone to reflect on things. I had Beth's phone number in my hands. I could call her and talk to her if I wanted. That was awesome. But why didn't my mom trust her? Seemed like dad was avoiding giving me all the answers. He was obviously uncomfortable. It didn't matter too much to me, though. And still, I couldn't help but be depressed at the thought of being bossed around by my brother Ray.
         A few minutes later, I emerged from my room to find my brother sitting on the couch, with a game controller in his paw. He had a cell phone to his ear in his other paw. He looked back to me.
          "Beat it, Mike. I'm calling Trisha and inviting her over. If you tell mom and dad, I'll kill you. Get back in your room and leave me the fuck alone while I have my girl over here." I shrugged.
          "Fine by me." Trisha. That new girlfriend of Ray's was absolutely no good. I could never be sure, but I could swear she was some kind of junkie. She was a deathly skinny mouse, with pierced ears and a bolt through her tongue. Tattoos were all over her arms. Her face was a little pretty, but I didn't find her very attractive. She was brash and obnoxious. I couldn't believe she was being invited over here. Everyone in the family knew I didn't like this new girlfriend of Ray's. I don't like my brother, but I don't want to see him in a bad relationship, either. Whatever. Doesn't mean anything to me in the long run. If they want to get stoned and drunk at the house here, they could be my guest. I'd just go back in my room and leave them the hell alone. 
         I tried to ignore the sounds of her coming in the house later that night. I also tried to ignore the sounds of their sex. I hated my brother. I hated his girlfriend. I hated that they got to have sex. Everything in the world seemed fucked--except for me, of course. I slipped under the covers of my bed, and put headphones over my ears. I turned on some music to ignore the nauseating audible groans of my brother coming from the living room. Thankfully, sleep came over me pretty quickly. I don't think I dreamt about anything that night. Thank God.