Jacqueline Druga - The Flu

“Mom.” Mick groaned.

Rose ignored him and continued reminiscing. “Had to get a steel toilet seat. Mick broke three of them his eighth grade year.”

“Mom!” Mick cowered behind his own hand.

Chris shrieked. “You broke toilet seats? Ah, man, Mick. That’s funny.”

“It isn’t funny,” Dustin said, offended. “Mick couldn’t help it he was heavy. And the toilet seats were probably weak; he didn’t break them because of his weight, did you, Mick?”

Groaning, Mick just wanted to eat. “Can we just enjoy one of the last warm days before it gets cold? Please? And eat.”

“I fuckin’ hate Indian summer. Get cold. Stay warm. But make up its goddamn mind,” Rose bitched.

Getting ready to close his eyes in one of those ‘God get me out of this’ moments, Mick saw Dylan solemnly get up and go inside. “Excuse me.” He wiped his mouth and stood.

Dylan wasn’t doing much but staring at the coffee spot on the counter by the sink. She jumped a little when she heard the screen porch door shut. She turned around.

“You OK?” Mick asked.

“Oh, yeah. Fine.” Dylan smiled. “I was getting some soda. We didn’t have any on the table.”

“And you’re fine?” Mick took a step to her. “I didn’t say something to upset you?”

“No, not at all. Go on, I’ll be right back out.” Dylan watched him, but as soon as he reached for the door, she called out. “Mick?”

Mick turned around. “Yeah?”

“Did you… did you ever notice how good you are with the boys?”

The corner of Mick’s mouth raised with a smile. “I should hope I’m good with the boys, I’ve been around them all their lives.”

“I’m talking natural. It’s nice they have that with you.”

“Thanks. It’s nice to hear that from you.” Mick tried for the door again.

“Mick, before you go,” Dylan spoke up. “I just… I just want you to know. When I look at you, when I see you with my sons, I really do see my future. I’m gonna grow old with you, Mick Owens.”

He was going to leave, but he didn’t. How could he? Mick walked right up to Dylan, slipped his hand behind her neck, and kissed her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

After a smile, Mick kissed her quickly and walked back to the door. “See ya outside.”

Rose looked up when she heard the thump of Mick’s heavy steps on the porch. “She all right?” Rose asked.

“Yeah.” Mick took his spot at the table. “Cramps.” He enjoyed the cringes that came from the boys. “Hey, guys, I wanna ask you something real fast before your mom comes back out.” He waited until he had their attention. “Answer me honestly, okay? No holding back. How would you guys feel if I asked your mom to marry me?”

“Good fuckin’ Lord, Mick,” Rose snapped. “Could your timing be any worse? It’s not a good time.”

Dustin lifted his hand with a smile. “No, Mrs. Owens, it’s fine.” He smiled at Mick. “I’m fine with it. Mick’s been around a real long time. It would be nice. Real nice.”

Mick felt relieved to hear that. Of course, he’d expected no backlash from Dustin. He looked to his right. “Tigger?”

Tigger shrugged. “It’s fine.”

After a nod, Mick turned to Chris. “Chris?”

“Well,” Chris exhaled, “I’m fine with it, too. But, you know Mom has never had a husband stay with her the entire time. Not that she had all that many, she only had my dad, but he was always leaving and hurting her. You aren’t gonna leave my mom when you get mad, are you, Mick?”

Dustin jumped in before Mick could. “What the heck is wrong with you? Of course he’s not gonna up and leave Mom. He didn’t leave her over the lesbian thing did he? No. And Mick isn’t gonna take a hike when things get rough… are you, Mick?”

Getting ready to do his stock groan, Mick stopped when his radio hissed.

“Chief Owens, come in.”

Mick picked up his radio. “Yeah, this is Mick. Go on.”

“Sir, you’re gonna have to come down to the main check in. We… we got a couple of live ones here and they’re insisting on speaking with the law.”

“I’m on my way.” Mick stood up, hooking his radio to his belt. “I’ll be back.” Turning to leave, he saw Dylan.

“What’s going on?” Dylan asked.

“Check this out. We have people at the front wanting in.”

Dylan stared for a moment. “It’s been so long. Maybe it’s a sign, Mick. Maybe it’s a sign that all the world didn’t go to hell.”

Mick darted a kiss to her cheek. “Maybe it is.”

Suits? Mick couldn’t believe it as he dismounted his bike. The arrivals were wearing suits? Pulling on his surgical mask, Mick grabbed his rifle and walked near the check-in point. He kept his distance. “What’s the problem?”

Sergeant Dion rolled his eyes as he merely pointed to Jeff and Darrell and their cat.

“May I help you gentlemen?” Mick asked.

“Hey! You’re the Harley Cavalry!” Jeff said in recognition. “No wonder you’re running things here.”

“What?” Mick asked, confused.

“The Harley Cavalry. Six weeks ago, some other Ohio town. A kid held up in a store,” Jeff explained. “We were there.” Fumbling with the cat, Jeff reached into his pocket. “We’re FBI agents.”

Mick nodded. “And why are you here in Lodi?”

“To get Rodriguez.”

Mick froze as he stared at them. “Are you fuckin’ shitting me? You’re here to pick up Rodriguez?”

“Yep,” Darrell answered. “You have him under arrest, don’t you?”

“Oh, yeah,” Mick fluttered his lips. “I have him under arrest. Did you two happen to notice what’s been going on out there in the world?”

“Things are slow,” Jeff replied.

Mick refrained from uttering ‘no shit’. “And with all that happened you still want to pick him up?”

“Yes,” Jeff told him. “Can we come in?”

“What are you, assholes?” Mick snapped. “I’m not letting you in here. If you feel like setting your bodies in a quarantine trailer for seventy-two hours, after that wait, if all is fine, then you can come in. As for now… that’s all, gentlemen.” Mick turned and walked away.

Sgt. Dion shrugged at Jeff and Darrell, then pointed. “Third trailer is empty.”

Jeff looked at Darrell. “I guess we’ll wait. We’ve waited this long.”

“True.” Darrell spotted the line of trailers. “Let’s go to that trailer. I’m really beat.”

“Me, too. Long trip.” Jeff followed. “My body is aching.”

“I know what you mean. Hey, was it me, or did that chief seem a little testy to you?”

Jeff shrugged as they reached the trailer. “He was a bit testy. But wouldn’t you be? He’s been detaining Rodriguez for so long, he has to be frustrated knowing he can finally get rid of him and has to wait three more days.” Extending his hand for the door, Jeff stopped to sneeze; his body shook violently. “I’m tired of doing that. My head hurts.” He peered down to the sleeping animal in his arms. “Damn cat.”

Mick had hid it in the tiny freezer compartment of the station’s beverage cooler. Besides wanting to take a walk that evening, he wanted to retrieve that treat. Figuring he’d enjoy that huge ice cream bar on his way back to Dylan’s house, he waited until he was out of the station to unwrap it.

Tearing the bottom portion of the wrapper, Mick looked up as Patrick called his name.

“Mick.” Patrick jogged his way. “I thought people would be setting up for the festival.”

Mick peered at his watch. “It’s midnight. What the hell do you think this is, New York?” He continued to walk.