Mikey took a shaky step into his brother’s still-empty room. “Hi Gee. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I talked to Pete and he said talking to you like you can might make me feel better, so I’m gonna pretend you can hear me, okay?” Mikey looked at his brother anxiously for a moment. “Oh, right, you can’t answer. I’ll have to get used to that. Anyways, Pete, yeah. I know you hate him and he’s caused a lot of shit but he’s been really helpful, especially with you not here. He’s helped me not freak out about everything. I think he’s sorry too, you know. Everyone just wants you to come home. You’ll be coming home soon, I hope.” Mikey laughed a little as he sat down in the chair.
“I’ve heard some interesting rumors going around school. People keep asking me where you are. I just tell them it’s none of their business because I don’t really know what to say. Most people think you got sent to rehab as far as I can tell. Some of the stories are fucking weird though. One kid was convinced you became one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I’m pretty sure he was stoned out of his mind. Another said you’d run off to join some weird-ass parade. I don’t know what you were doing exactly, but I’m glad we found you.”
“Lindsey’s been pretty helpful too. She’s really, uh, nice. You remember Lindsey, right? She’s the girl from your painting class. She’s great. She, uh- We-” Mikey’s face turned bright red. “I like her. She’s a lot of fun to be around. She tried getting me to watch more of The Walking Dead but, um, well, we sorta, uh-” Mikey shook his head, trying to get a clear thought across. “We didn’t pay much attention to the tv. She’s really cool though. We’re really good friends now. I guess I, uh, I have you to thank for that. You and your weird fascination with Polka Dots. Thanks. I, uh, she’s fantastic.”
“I haven’t really done all that much in the last month other than, well, Lindsey. But as far as doing stuff goes, I’ve mostly just hung out with Pete. I hope you don’t mind I kinda depleted your stash, sorry. Yesterday there was a Halloween party, not much happened. I got kinda wasted and slept at Frank’s house. We woke up to voicemails from the hospital, and that brings us to now. So, uh, yeah. Thanks for listening I guess, and I hope you heard most of that because I don’t really want to repeat it all. Pete was right. I do feel a lot better now.” Mikey stood up and went to his brother’s bedside.
“Oh, and one last thing, Gee. Even with all this shit, you’re the best brother I could ever wish for and I love you. I- I should probably go find Mom and Dad now.” He gave Gerard’s hand a quick squeeze before leaving the room again and going down to the cafeteria to find his parents.