WARNING: THIS STORY TAKES PLACE AFTER THE MOVIE. IF YOU HAVE SEEN IT, PREPARE FOR SOME TEARS. IF NOT THEN I NEED TO DO THIS AS A SPOILER STORY.
After this one is Michael Connolly's story and it's long but worth it!
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Title: Remember Me.
Plot: Michael remembers Rory after the funeral.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters...I just borrow them.
Warning: Crude language.
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Rory O'Shea was dead.
Michael Connolly sat outside looking at the door to his flat and frowned.
He suffered from cerebral palsy, which made it hard for him to talk, use his hands or walk.
The only one that could clearly understand him was Rory.
Rory was his best friend but, now, he was gone.
Michael sighed when he heard voices and saw the children that lived in the other flats coming closer..
" Hey, Mister, where's your friend? ", the boy asked.
" Yeah. My da said that he was in the hospital.", the other boy said.
" Is he still there? ", the little girl asked holding her dolly in her arms.
Michael shook his head.
" Is he coming back? ", the boy asked.
Michael shook his head.
" Did he go somewhere else? ", the other boy asked.
Michael nodded.
" Did they send him to a care home? ", the boy asked.
Michael shook his head.
" Did he go home? ", the other boy asked.
Michael shook his head when one of the boys got what he wasn't saying and whispered in the other boy's ear.
" He's dead?! ", the boy asked.
Michael slowly nodded and the children frowned.
" So, um, do you want to race us? ", the boy asked.
Rory had raced them, and would have won if the battery in his wheelchair hadn't died, and Michael half smiled.
" His friend just died, you git! ", the other boy said smacking the boy's shoulder.
" Maybe tomorrow. ", Michael mumbled.
" Tomorrow? ", the boy asked and Michael nodded.
" What's your name? ", the little girl asked.
" Michael.", Michael mumbled.
" Michael? ", the little girl asked and he nodded.
" See ya later then, Michael! ", the boy said and Michael smiled.
The children left as he sat there and watched them leave then looked at the lot.
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Michael moved the wheelchair as he came outside and looked around.
Rory sat at the end of the lot as the children stood near him and Michael moved the wheelchair closer.
Rory suffered from Duchene's muscular dystrophy and could move his head a little, talk and use two fingers of his right hand.
" Hi. ", Michael mumbled as Rory looked at him and his bleached blonde hair moved in the breeze.
" Hi.", Rory said, " Your hair looks good. ".
" Thanks. So, you coming back inside? ", Michael asked.
" In a bit. ", Rory said.
" His wheelchair's stuck! ", the boy on the scooter said and Rory glared at him.
" Shut your gob. ", Rory growled.
" Your wheelchair's stuck? ", Michael asked.
" The battery died. ", the other boy said.
" SHUT-UP! ", Rory growled.
" How did that happen? ", Michael asked.
" How did it happen? ", Rory asked.
" He was racing us around the lot and it died. ", the little girl said and Rory rolled his eyes feeling embarrassed.
" You laugh and I will NEVER talk to, or for, you again! ", Rory whispered.
" I'll got get Siobhan. ", Michael mumbled.
" No! Don't do that! ", Rory said.
" Then how am I going to get you inside? ", Michael asked.
" How are you going to get me back inside? ", Rory asked.
" We'll push him! ", the boy on the scooter said and Rory sighed.
" Fine. ", Rory said when the children helped get him inside and Michael was behind them. He smiled trying not to laugh as they went inside and he closed the door behind them.
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Michael sadly smiled when he went inside the flat and went down the small hallway. He looked at the doorway to his bedroom when he went inside and looked around.
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" Well, this looks nice. ", Rory said as he came inside the room and Michael turned the wheelchair around.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled.
" Sorry that I took the bigger bedroom. ", Rory said.
" It's ok. I'm used to a small room. ", Michael mumbled when they saw the door and Rory blinked.
" Wonder where that goes. ", Rory said when Michael moved the wheelchair closer and opened the door. He looked inside when he went through the doorway and Rory looked at him, " So, where does it go? ".
" Your room! ", Michael mumbled when Rory followed him inside and looked around.
" Oh, I get it! See, this is where the disabled person would sleep and the other room is for the assistant. The door makes it easy for the assistant to get in here if there is an emergency. ", Rory said.
" So, like, if you need a glass of water in the middle of the night, I can use it instead of the other door? ", Michael asked and Rory laughed.
" Yeah. Right. ", Rory said and both of them smiled.
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" We always kept it open so we could hear each other better. That's how I knew you were sick. I woke up and heard you breathing funny. Wish I had woke up sooner. ", Michael sighed then looked over at one of his suits hanging on the door handle of the wardrobe.
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Rory was mad.
He had all right to be mad.
Michael had messed up being his lawyer for the housing board.
He just didn't know what to say.
" Rory? ", Michael asked looking at the close door.
" GO AWAY! ", Rory shouted.
" Rory, open the door. ", Michael mumbled.
" NO! GO AWAY! ", Rory shouted.
" Rory, I'm sorry. ", Michael mumbled.
" SORRY!? YOU DIDN'T SAY A FUCKING THING! ", Rory shouted.
" I didn't know what to say. ", Michael mumbled.
" FUCK OFF! ", Rory shouted and Michael glared at the door.
" NO! YOU FUCK OFF! ", Michael shouted.
" What did you say? ", Rory asked.
" I SAID YOU FUCK OFF! ", Michael shouted.
" Open the door. ", Rory said as Michael tried then finally got the door open. He looked at Rory as he came inside the room and Rory blinked.
He was stunned.
He had never heard Michael talk like that before.
He knew that, finally, Michael was standing up for himself and half smiled at him.
" Well, what do I do now!? I HAVE to get out of here! ", Rory said.
" Why? ", Michael asked.
" Because I'm going to fucking die! ", Rory half shouted.
" No, you're not. You're just angry. So am I. There's always next time. ", Michael mumbled.
" Yeah. Right. Next time. ", Rory sighed.
" You still mad at me? ", Michael asked.
" Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Lets go find something to do, ok? ", Rory asked and Michael nodded.
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" You meant it when you said you were going to die and I didn't believe you. I am an idiot! ", Michael sighed then looked at the other suit.
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Rory's wheelchair zoomed down the sidewalk as Michael followed and Rory was laughing.
" I can't fucking believe this! I'm out! ", Rory shouted.
" I know! I know! ", Michael mumbled shaking his head smiling.
" And all because of you! You are amazing! ", Rory said as Michael caught up and laughed.
" I am not. ", Michael mumbled.
" You are so! I mean did you see their faces when you told them that you needed me to tell people what you're saying!? They looked like they were going to pop! ", " Rory said.
" Well, you are my best friend and.... ", Michael mumbled and Rory stopped the wheelchair looking serious at him.
" And what? ", Rory asked making Michael stop and turn the wheelchair around.
" And I wanted to repay you. ", Michael mumbled.
" Repay me!? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be sitting there doing nothing. You showed me that there is more to life then that. So, I thought getting you out would make us even. ", Michael mumbled.
" Even!? Michael, you're my best friend! I mean, yeah, I use you, I tease the fuck out of you, and other stuff but there's nothing to make even. Got it? ", Rory said.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled.
" Now, all we have to do is find the right place for the right price and we're gone! ", Rory said when Michael looked at the box with the newspapers in it and blinked. He placed some coins in the slot as he tried to get the box open and sighed. He finally got the box open when he took out the paper and placed it in his lap, " Good man! Lets go! ".
Michael nodded as they headed down the sidewalk and Michael smiled.
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" It took us a long time so we finally had to.... " Michael mumbled when he thought about seeing his father and what they had to do and sighed. He moved the wheelchair around then looked at the outfit he had worn to the fancy dress party they had gone to and moved the wheelchair closer picking the hat up.
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Foolish.
Michael felt so foolish as he headed for the door and someone opened it for him. He sat outside when he heard the door open again and sighed.
" There you are. ", Rory said coming closer and stopping the wheelchair next to his.
" Go away. ", Michael mumbled.
" What was that back there!? ", Rory asked, " You almost attacked her. ".
" I...Um...I don't know. I just got carried away. ", Michael mumbled.
" And you wanted to what!? Make out with her right there on the dance floor? ", Rory asked.
" Make out with her? ", Michael asked.
" Kiss her. Hold her. Touch her. ", Rory said.
" Yeah. ", Michael sighed.
" Fuck. Didn't anyone ever tell you what do to with a woman? ", Rory asked.
" Weeeeeeeeeell, Tommy told me what to do. ", Michael mumbled.
" Tommy!? Fuck! No wonder you're messed up! Anyway, lets go back inside and you can tell her that you're sorry. ", Rory said.
" No! I can't! ", Michael mumbled.
" Why not!? ", Rory asked.
Before Michael could answer, Siobhan came outside and Rory saw that she was angry.
" Rory, what the fuck were you doing!? You don't say shite like that! ", Siobhan shouted and Michael looked at Rory.
" What is she talking about? ", Michael asked.
" He wants to know what you're talking about. ", Rory sighed.
" Your " best friend " made this little speech about how much YOU want to touch, kiss and have sex with me! ", Siobhan shouted and
Michael's eyes went wide.
" You what!? ", Michael asked.
" I wasn't talking about him! ", Rory shouted.
" Then who the fuck were you talking about!? ", Siobhan demanded.
" Never mind. Can we just go home!? ", Rory asked.
" You right we're going home! Move! ", Siobhan shouted as they went to get their coats and Michael wondered just who Rory was talking about.
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" When we got home, I told Siobhan how I really felt and she rejected me. The next day she quit and we got Peter. ", Michael sighed then turned the wheelchair around. He saw the straw, with the streamers on it, he had saved from his first trip to a pub, on the night table and he sadly smiled. He moved the wheelchair closer, placing the hat on the bed and picked the straw up looking at it.
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Drunk.
He had never gotten drunk before.
He didn't like the taste of beer at first.
After a few of them, he didn't care.
A girl had kissed him.
He pissed in an alley in the rain.
He had met the most wonderful girl.
Siobhan!
He had gotten them into a nightclub and he " danced ".
Now they were going home and Rory was singing.
The wheelchairs moved up the path when they stopped and Rory looked at the door.
" Well, look at that! We made it back! ", Rory said and Michael laughed.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled and twirled the straw in his fingers.
" Are you going to keep that? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled and smiled.
" Well, we better be quiet or we'll wake everyone up. ", Rory said.
" What time is it? ", Michael asked.
" Do I look like I wear a watch!? ", Rory asked then they laughed, " Shhhhhhhhhhhh! Shhhhhhh! ".
" Sorry. ", Michael mumbled.
" Well, lets go inside. ", Rory said when they headed for the door and Michael tried to get the door open.
" Uh-oh. ", Michael mumbled.
" What? ", Rory asked.
" The door's locked. ", Michael mumbled.
" Fuck. Well....ANNIE!? EILEEN!? OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR! WE'RE HOME! ", Rory shouted and Michael laughed.
" I thought you said we had to be quiet. ", Michael mumbled.
" I did. Thing is, my underpants are going up my arse! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNIE! ", Rory shouted when the door opened and they looked at a very angry Annie.
" There you two are! Do you have any idea what time it is!? ", Annie asked.
" Sorry, Constable, but we left our watches in our other pants! ", Rory said as Michael laughed and Rory smiled.
" It is nearly two thirty in the morning! ", Annie shouted.
" Does that mean we're going to turn into pumpkins? ", Rory asked and Michael snickered.
" We were worried sick about you! ", Annie said.
" I think " Mommy " is mad at us! ", Michael mumbled and Rory laughed.
" Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! That was a good one! ", Rory said.
" What did he say!? ", Annie demanded.
" Nothing. ", Rory said as they smiled at each other then Michael burped and Annie sniffed.
" He's drunk! ", Annie said.
" Noticed that, did you?! ", Rory said.
" You got him drunk!? ", Annie asked.
" No! I got me drunk! ", Michael mumbled.
" He got him drunk. I had NOTHING to do with it! ", Rory said.
" Eileen is going to have a stroke! Get in here now! ", Annie said as they came inside and she led them down the hallway.
" Rory? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah? ", Rory asked.
" Race you to her office! ", Michael mumbled.
" You want to race to her office? ", Rory asked and Michael nodded.
" No! ", Annie shouted and they went down the hallway then into Eileen Sheedy's office. She stood near the desk when they stopped the wheelchairs and Rory smiled at her.
" Hi, Mummy, we're home! ", Rory said as Michael laughed but Eileen didn't.
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" Eileen was so mad at us. You were going to let me take the blame then said it was your fault. It was funny what you said after that. ", Michael mumbled then placed the straw down and left the room. He went into the living room/kitchen area when he looked at the window and blinked.
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Rory sat looking out of the window when Michael came closer and stopped the wheelchair.
Rory had gotten arrested the day before and he looked straight ahead.
" You ok? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. I'm fine. ", Rory said.
" What's wrong? ", Michael asked.
" Nothing! ", Rory half shouted.
" You know, I didn't ask but how did you get in that car? ", Michael asked.
" I asked the kids if one of them knew where I could get one. One of the little buggers got his da's keys and they, more or less, dragged me in. One of them steered while the other did the pedals. It was amazing! I never drove before. ", Rory said and smiled.
" But you weren't driving.", Michael mumbled.
" Well, one of them held my right hand on the wheel. ", Rory said.
" You, or the kids, could have been really hurt if you hit something. ", Michael mumbled.
" I know. We nearly hit you. ", Rory said.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled and smiled.
" But do you know the worst part? ", Rory asked.
" What? ", Michael asked.
" Some little bugger stole my knit cap when I was coming home from jail. Nicked it right off my head! ", Rory growled.
" You can get a new cap. ", Michael mumbled.
" That's not the point! The point is that I was helpless! I couldn't do a fucking thing to get it back! I hate being like this! ", Rory shouted.
" And you don't think that I don't hate being like this!? You told me to really listen to myself when I talk. I do. I KNOW what I sound like! Now, I'm going out! Are you coming out with me or not!? ", Michael asked and Rory looked at him.
" Fuck! Listen to you! First, you defend Siobhan and, now, this! ", Rory teased, " Ok. Lets go. ".
Michael smiled as they went to get their coats and left the flat.
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" We went to the pub and you conned those girls into buying us drinks. Siobhan was so pissed when we came back. ", Michael mumbled when he headed for the table and looked at the birthday card sitting there.
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" Where did that come from? ", Siobhan asked as they came in and she placed the laundry basket down.
" My da left it. ", Rory said when she picked the birthday card up and looked at it.
" It's your birthday!? ", Siobhan asked.
" Yeah. ", Rory sighed.
" How old are you? ", Michael asked.
" How old am I?! ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled.
" Twenty-one. ", Rory said.
" Twenty-one!? Why didn't you say anything!? ", Siobhan asked.
" Because I didn't want a fuss. Look It's nothing. ", Rory said.
" Nothing!? You're twenty-one! That's a big deal! ", Siobhan said.
" To you, yeah. But, to me, it's just another year.", Rory said as Siobhan left the room and he looked at Michael, " Where is she going? ".
" Don't know. ", Michael mumbled.
" All right, we are going out and celebrate! ", Siobhan said as she brought the coats in and Rory sighed.
" No, we are NOT! Just drop it! ", Rory said.
" Bollix! We are going out! ", Siobhan said as she got his coat on then wrapped his scarf around his neck then got Michael's coat on him.
" You can't make me do this! ", Rory half shouted when she got behind his wheelchair and started pushing.
" This says I can! ", Siobhan said and he sighed.
" Fine. We'll go but I will NOT have a good time. ", Rory growled and they left the flat.
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" We went to the pub then to the dance club. You were laughing and flirting with the girls most of the night. ", Michael mumbled when he turned the wheelchair around and looked at the bathroom. He moved the wheelchair inside then looked at his reflection and sighed.
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" Are you sure this is a good idea? ", Rory asked as they sat in the bathroom and Siobhan was using the hair gel to spike his hair.
" I can't do this and brush your teeth at the same time. Besides, I was late getting you up. ", Siobhan said and Rory looked at Michael.
" But he can barely brush his own teeth. ", Rory said.
" Just let him do it. ", Siobhan teased.
" Fine. ", Rory sighed as Michael placed the toothpaste on the electric toothbrush and frowned, " That's too much. ".
" Is not. Now, open your mouth. ", Michael mumbled and Rory opened his mouth. Michael used both hands as he moved the electric toothbrush back and forth and looked at Rory.
Rory scrunched up his nose when Michael took the electric toothbrush out of Rory's mouth and looked at him.
" Rory? ", Michael asked when Rory sneezed and spit toothpaste into Michael's face.
" Michael!? ", Siobhan shouted as she washed her hands off then cleaned Michael off and Rory looked like a scolded child at them.
" I am SO sorry. ", Rory said as toothpaste dribbled out of his mouth and Siobhan cleaned him off after helping him spit.
" That is the SECOND time you SPIT in my face! ", Michael mumbled and Rory smiled.
" Yeah, it is the second time I spit in your face.", Rory teased.
" You did what!? ", Siobhan asked.
" I was in the paint room, right after I arrived, and was using a straw to paint with. I spit the paint out and hit him in the face with it. ", Rory
said.
" Well, that wasn't nice. ", Siobhan scolded.
" Guess not. ", Rory sighed.
" Well, your teeth are clean enough and I'm done. Lets go have lunch. ", Siobhan said as they left the bathroom and headed for the table.
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Michael sadly smiled when he went back into the living room/kitchen then headed for Rory's room. He went inside as he looked at the wheelchair then the bed and sighed.
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Michael laid in the dark as he looked at the wall and sniffed.
He had cried after Peter, their new helper, left and wiped his eyes.
" Michael!? ", Rory called out.
" What?! ", Michael mumbled.
" Come in here. ", Rory said.
" No! ", Michael shouted.
" Aw, come on! I need you! ", Rory said.
Peter had left his wheelchair near the bed, he said that it would make it easier if Michael had to get out of bed for some reason, as he got up and got into the wheelchair. He had turned the light on as he sighed and moved the lever. He went inside the other room as he saw Rory looking at him and he saw the red light shining from the overhead lamp.
He had never noticed that before.
" What do you want? ", Michael asked as he stopped the wheelchair and Rory smiled.
" Well, you can get up by yourself. ", Rory teased and Michael glared at him.
" What is it!? ", Michael half shouted.
" Fuck. You still mad at me!? ", Rory asked.
" Yes! ", Michael mumbled.
" I don't blame you. I have been laying here thinking about what happened. I mean I knew that you liked her but I never thought my liking her would nearly fuck us up. ", Rory said.
" I loved her! ", Michael mumbled.
" So did I! The thing is, I don't know if she loved me back. After what happened when you told her, I didn't want to risk it. ", Rory said and Michael sighed.
" You let me make an arse out of myself. ", Michael mumbled.
" I told you not to tell her! ", Rory said.
" What about the rest of it!? When you told me that she wouldn't want anything to do with someone like me!? Were you talking about me or you? ", Michael asked.
" Both. ", Rory sighed.
" Can I ask you something? ", Michael asked.
" Sure. ", Rory said.
" What was the real reason you came after me? You said that WE were going back but it was just me. ", Michael mumbled.
" You don't think they'd let me stay here by myself! The only reason I was allowed to be here in the first place was because you said I was your interpreter. If you went back then I had to. ", Rory said.
" And you'd have to start all over again. ", Michael mumbled.
" Right. And, I don't have the time. Look, I did have choices. I could have gone back inside, got to know Peter and hope they didn't do anything. I could have gone after Siobhan and told her how I felt and see if she wanted to come back and talk. But I chose to come after you. ", Rory said.
" Why?! ", Michael asked.
" Because I could always get a new girl. I have done that before. But I could never get a new best friend. ", Rory said and Michael blinked.
" Really?! ", Michael asked.
" Come off it. You know that we're best friends. That's forever! ", Rory said smiling.
" And it proves something. ", Michael mumbled.
" And that is!? ", Rory asked.
" That you are responsible. ", Michael mumbled.
" True. I didn't want to go back there but I also didn't want anything to happen to you. ", Rory said then coughed and frowned, " Hmmm. ".
" You ok? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. ", Rory said, " Must have swallowed wrong. ".
" So, we're ok? ", Michael asked.
" Are we? ", Rory asked when Michael moved the wheelchair closed and wrapped his fingers around the first two fingers of Rory's right hand.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled then smiled and Rory smiled back then coughed again, " Rory? ".
" I'm fine. Look, go back to bed, ok? ", Rory said and Michael let go of his fingers.
" Just one thing. ", Michael mumbled when he reached up and placed a finger up Rory's nose.
" What the fuck are you doing!? ", Rory asked.
" You EVER come between me and a girl that I like again, I will tear your nose off! ", Michael teased then removed his finger and Rory laughed.
" Deal! Now, go to bed! ", Rory said as Michael nodded and moved the wheelchair to the door and went back into his room.
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" I heard you cough a few more times that night. Why didn't you say something!? ", Michael asked then saw the visitor hospital bracelet he wore on the dresser, moved the wheelchair closer, picked it up and blinked.
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" You never liked me? ", Michael asked as he held onto Rory's fingers and Rory smiled under the oxygen mask.
" I'm...teasing.", Rory said.
" Oh. ", Michael mumbled.
" So...you going...to keep...Peter? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled.
" Don't let...them talk you...into going back...to Carrigmore. ", Rory said.
" I won't. In fact, I want to go to the university and study law. ", Michael mumbled and Rory smiled.
" Yeah!? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. Peter's looking into what I need to do. ", Michael mumbled.
" That's...great! ", Rory said.
" So, when did they say you can come home? ", Michael asked and Rory looked at him with sad eyes.
" Michael, I...can't go...home. ", Rory said.
" Yes, you can. I know we might have to get a nurse to ta.. ", Michael mumbled and Rory gently moved his thumb out and squeezed Michael's finger.
" Michael. I'm..dying. ", Rory said.
" Don't say that! ", Michael mumbled.
" I..am. It's...ok. I..knew that..I was...for some time..now. Just didn't...want you...to make..a fuss. ", Rory said.
" A fuss!? You're my best friend! ", Michael mumbled.
" I...know...that. ", Rory said.
" Are you scared? ", Michael asked.
" No. Da had...a priest come...in last...night. He asked...if there..was anything...I wanted..to confess. I told..him what...happened. I mean....everything. He prayed. He then...said that..I was..forgiven. Then....he did...last rites. I never was...much on praying...but..after we...were done, I...felt such...peace that..I never...felt before. I know..where I'm...going. ", Rory said.
" Where? ", Michael asked.
" Up! I asked...if I'd...see my..mum...and he....said if....she was...good in..life...I'd...see... her. ", Rory said.
" Maybe you'll see mine, too. ", Michael mumbled.
" I'll...see...what I..can do...to find...her and...tell her..all about..you.. ", Rory said smiling.
" Thanks. ", Michael mumbled.
" I promise...you this. I'll be...waiting for...you on...the other side. In fact, I'll..come and..get you...when the...time comes. We'll...walk there...together. You can....even...punch...the...fuck out of...me for..what I...did, too. Ok? ", Rory said.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled.
" Know....what? ", Rory asked.
" What!? ", Michael asked.
" The one...thing that...I regret...is that...I never got...my own..flat. ", Rory said.
" Yes, you did. ", Michael mumbled.
" No, it...was yours. ", Rory said.
" No, it was OURS! I didn't just get it for me. I got it for you. You know that. ", Michael mumbled.
" Guess what...I mean...is that...I never...got the...right to live...on my...own. See, for....me, that..would have...been true...freedom. ", Rory said.
Michael looked at him as Rory moved his thumb and Michael squeezed Rory's fingers.
" What's going...on in...that head...of yours? ", Rory asked.
" It's a surprise. That is if I can do what I want to do. ", Michael mumbled and Rory frowned.
" And, what...exactly is..that!? ", Rory asked.
" Promise me that you'll stay around for a bit longer and you'll see. ", Michael mumbled smiling.
" I'll..try. ", Rory said then slowly closed his eyes and Michael looked at the monitor. The light moved up and down as he blinked then felt Rory moving his thumb again, " I'm not..asleep. ".
" I know. I was just letting you rest. ", Michael mumbled and Rory blinked.
" You look...like you're...about to..cry. ", Rory said.
" Am not. ", Michael mumbled.
" Well, not...cry. I'm not...in any..pain And, my life....isn't sad. I have...had a...good life. Just remember....not to...give up, ok? ", Rory asked.
" I won't. ", Michael mumbled.
" And that....you and I...are friends...forever. ", Rory said.
" You're right here. ", Michael mumbled pointing to his chest near his heart and Rory sadly smiled under the oxygen mask.
" Right. ", Rory said when the nurse came inside and Michael let go of Rory's fingers.
" I'm sorry but you have to go now. ", the nurse said and Rory glared at her.
" You are...no fun! ", Rory said.
" I'll come back tomorrow. ", Michael mumbled and Rory wiggled his finger. Michael held Rory's fingers when Rory used his thumb to squeeze Michael's finger and smiled at him.
" Tomorrow...then. ", Rory said and Michael left the room.
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" I went home and typed that letter as fast as I could. Then went to see Siobhan. I told her what I wanted to do but we didn't get an appointment to see the housing board until late that afternoon. I guess you couldn't wait because you died before we got there to tell you that you got your freedom. ", Michael mumbled when the tears filled his eyes and he wiped them.
" Michael!? ", Siobhan's voice called when she came inside the bedroom and looked at him, " There you are. ".
Michael turned the wheelchair around when she looked at him and knelt down. She placed her hands on his knees as he sniffed and she saw
that he had the hospital visitor's bracelet in his hand.
" Were you thinking about Rory? ", Siobhan asked.
" Yes. ", Michael sighed nodding.
" So was I. ", Siobhan said.
" What are you doing here? ", Michael asked.
" Why am I here? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " I went home, cried for a bit, then realized that I left my purse here. I came back and saw that you left the door open. Did you go out? ".
" Yes. ", Michael mumbled nodding.
" By yourself? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded.
" Can I ask you something? ", Michael mumbled.
" Can you ask me something? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " What? ".
" Did you love Rory? ", Michael asked.
" Did I what!? ", Siobhan asked.
" Love Rory? ", Michael asked.
" Did I love Rory? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Yeah. I did. ".
" He loved you, too. ", Michael mumbled.
" He what? ", Siobhan asked.
" Loved you. ", Michael mumbled.
" Rory loved me?! ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Why didn't he say something!? ".
" He didn't want to risk it after I told you how I felt. ", Michael mumbled.
" He didn't want to? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Why!? ".
" He was afraid that you'd reject him like you did me.", Michael mumbled.
" He was afraid? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " That little bastard. ".
" His father's coming tomorrow to get his things. ", Michael mumbled.
" His da's coming tomorrow? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded.
" He said I can keep something of Rory's. ", Michael mumbled.
" He's going to let you keep something? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " What? ".
" The stereo and the yellow poster. ", Michael mumbled and pointed to the stereo then the poster on the door.
" The stereo and that poster? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded.
" I miss him. ", Michael sighed.
" I miss him, too. ", Siobhan said.
" He told me not to cry. ", Michael mumbled.
" He told you what? ", Siobhan asked.
" Not to cry! ", Michael mumbled.
" He told you not to cry!? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " That's bloody stupid! You're supposed to cry when you lose someone you care about. ".
" I think he meant not in front of him. ", Michael mumbled.
" Not in front of him? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " I guess not. It would have made him want to cry and that wouldn't have been a good thing in his condition. ".
" Yeah. ", Michael sighed then shivered. He watched as Siobhan pushed the wheelchair into the next room then helped him sit on the bed and sat next to him. She moved him closer as she held him and Michael shook.
He couldn't hold the tears in any longer.
She stroked his hair and used the tissues from the box on the table near the bed as he cried and she kissed the top of his head. She waited until he calmed down when he looked up at her and sadly smiled.
" You're all wet. ", Michael sighed.
" I'm all wet? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " I'll dry. ".
" Are we friends? ", Michael asked.
" Are we friends? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Yeah. We are. ".
Michael sighed as she held him and gently rocked him back and forth.
" You know what we should do? ", Siobhan asked and he shook his head, " We should go to the pub, buy some drinks and toast Rory's memory. ".
" That sounds like a good idea. ", Michael mumbled.
" That's a good idea? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " All right. Lets go. ".
Michael watched as she helped him get into the wheelchair when they left the flat and Siobhan closed the door behind them.
-----------------------------------
The End......
After this one is Michael Connolly's story and it's long but worth it!
-------------------------------------
Title: Remember Me.
Plot: Michael remembers Rory after the funeral.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters...I just borrow them.
Warning: Crude language.
-------------------------------------------------
Rory O'Shea was dead.
Michael Connolly sat outside looking at the door to his flat and frowned.
He suffered from cerebral palsy, which made it hard for him to talk, use his hands or walk.
The only one that could clearly understand him was Rory.
Rory was his best friend but, now, he was gone.
Michael sighed when he heard voices and saw the children that lived in the other flats coming closer..
" Hey, Mister, where's your friend? ", the boy asked.
" Yeah. My da said that he was in the hospital.", the other boy said.
" Is he still there? ", the little girl asked holding her dolly in her arms.
Michael shook his head.
" Is he coming back? ", the boy asked.
Michael shook his head.
" Did he go somewhere else? ", the other boy asked.
Michael nodded.
" Did they send him to a care home? ", the boy asked.
Michael shook his head.
" Did he go home? ", the other boy asked.
Michael shook his head when one of the boys got what he wasn't saying and whispered in the other boy's ear.
" He's dead?! ", the boy asked.
Michael slowly nodded and the children frowned.
" So, um, do you want to race us? ", the boy asked.
Rory had raced them, and would have won if the battery in his wheelchair hadn't died, and Michael half smiled.
" His friend just died, you git! ", the other boy said smacking the boy's shoulder.
" Maybe tomorrow. ", Michael mumbled.
" Tomorrow? ", the boy asked and Michael nodded.
" What's your name? ", the little girl asked.
" Michael.", Michael mumbled.
" Michael? ", the little girl asked and he nodded.
" See ya later then, Michael! ", the boy said and Michael smiled.
The children left as he sat there and watched them leave then looked at the lot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael moved the wheelchair as he came outside and looked around.
Rory sat at the end of the lot as the children stood near him and Michael moved the wheelchair closer.
Rory suffered from Duchene's muscular dystrophy and could move his head a little, talk and use two fingers of his right hand.
" Hi. ", Michael mumbled as Rory looked at him and his bleached blonde hair moved in the breeze.
" Hi.", Rory said, " Your hair looks good. ".
" Thanks. So, you coming back inside? ", Michael asked.
" In a bit. ", Rory said.
" His wheelchair's stuck! ", the boy on the scooter said and Rory glared at him.
" Shut your gob. ", Rory growled.
" Your wheelchair's stuck? ", Michael asked.
" The battery died. ", the other boy said.
" SHUT-UP! ", Rory growled.
" How did that happen? ", Michael asked.
" How did it happen? ", Rory asked.
" He was racing us around the lot and it died. ", the little girl said and Rory rolled his eyes feeling embarrassed.
" You laugh and I will NEVER talk to, or for, you again! ", Rory whispered.
" I'll got get Siobhan. ", Michael mumbled.
" No! Don't do that! ", Rory said.
" Then how am I going to get you inside? ", Michael asked.
" How are you going to get me back inside? ", Rory asked.
" We'll push him! ", the boy on the scooter said and Rory sighed.
" Fine. ", Rory said when the children helped get him inside and Michael was behind them. He smiled trying not to laugh as they went inside and he closed the door behind them.
--------------------------------------------
Michael sadly smiled when he went inside the flat and went down the small hallway. He looked at the doorway to his bedroom when he went inside and looked around.
--------------------------------------------------
" Well, this looks nice. ", Rory said as he came inside the room and Michael turned the wheelchair around.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled.
" Sorry that I took the bigger bedroom. ", Rory said.
" It's ok. I'm used to a small room. ", Michael mumbled when they saw the door and Rory blinked.
" Wonder where that goes. ", Rory said when Michael moved the wheelchair closer and opened the door. He looked inside when he went through the doorway and Rory looked at him, " So, where does it go? ".
" Your room! ", Michael mumbled when Rory followed him inside and looked around.
" Oh, I get it! See, this is where the disabled person would sleep and the other room is for the assistant. The door makes it easy for the assistant to get in here if there is an emergency. ", Rory said.
" So, like, if you need a glass of water in the middle of the night, I can use it instead of the other door? ", Michael asked and Rory laughed.
" Yeah. Right. ", Rory said and both of them smiled.
--------------------------------------------------------------
" We always kept it open so we could hear each other better. That's how I knew you were sick. I woke up and heard you breathing funny. Wish I had woke up sooner. ", Michael sighed then looked over at one of his suits hanging on the door handle of the wardrobe.
--------------------------------------------------------
Rory was mad.
He had all right to be mad.
Michael had messed up being his lawyer for the housing board.
He just didn't know what to say.
" Rory? ", Michael asked looking at the close door.
" GO AWAY! ", Rory shouted.
" Rory, open the door. ", Michael mumbled.
" NO! GO AWAY! ", Rory shouted.
" Rory, I'm sorry. ", Michael mumbled.
" SORRY!? YOU DIDN'T SAY A FUCKING THING! ", Rory shouted.
" I didn't know what to say. ", Michael mumbled.
" FUCK OFF! ", Rory shouted and Michael glared at the door.
" NO! YOU FUCK OFF! ", Michael shouted.
" What did you say? ", Rory asked.
" I SAID YOU FUCK OFF! ", Michael shouted.
" Open the door. ", Rory said as Michael tried then finally got the door open. He looked at Rory as he came inside the room and Rory blinked.
He was stunned.
He had never heard Michael talk like that before.
He knew that, finally, Michael was standing up for himself and half smiled at him.
" Well, what do I do now!? I HAVE to get out of here! ", Rory said.
" Why? ", Michael asked.
" Because I'm going to fucking die! ", Rory half shouted.
" No, you're not. You're just angry. So am I. There's always next time. ", Michael mumbled.
" Yeah. Right. Next time. ", Rory sighed.
" You still mad at me? ", Michael asked.
" Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Lets go find something to do, ok? ", Rory asked and Michael nodded.
--------------------------------------------------
" You meant it when you said you were going to die and I didn't believe you. I am an idiot! ", Michael sighed then looked at the other suit.
-----------------------------------------------------
Rory's wheelchair zoomed down the sidewalk as Michael followed and Rory was laughing.
" I can't fucking believe this! I'm out! ", Rory shouted.
" I know! I know! ", Michael mumbled shaking his head smiling.
" And all because of you! You are amazing! ", Rory said as Michael caught up and laughed.
" I am not. ", Michael mumbled.
" You are so! I mean did you see their faces when you told them that you needed me to tell people what you're saying!? They looked like they were going to pop! ", " Rory said.
" Well, you are my best friend and.... ", Michael mumbled and Rory stopped the wheelchair looking serious at him.
" And what? ", Rory asked making Michael stop and turn the wheelchair around.
" And I wanted to repay you. ", Michael mumbled.
" Repay me!? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be sitting there doing nothing. You showed me that there is more to life then that. So, I thought getting you out would make us even. ", Michael mumbled.
" Even!? Michael, you're my best friend! I mean, yeah, I use you, I tease the fuck out of you, and other stuff but there's nothing to make even. Got it? ", Rory said.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled.
" Now, all we have to do is find the right place for the right price and we're gone! ", Rory said when Michael looked at the box with the newspapers in it and blinked. He placed some coins in the slot as he tried to get the box open and sighed. He finally got the box open when he took out the paper and placed it in his lap, " Good man! Lets go! ".
Michael nodded as they headed down the sidewalk and Michael smiled.
------------------------------------------------
" It took us a long time so we finally had to.... " Michael mumbled when he thought about seeing his father and what they had to do and sighed. He moved the wheelchair around then looked at the outfit he had worn to the fancy dress party they had gone to and moved the wheelchair closer picking the hat up.
-----------------------------------------------------
Foolish.
Michael felt so foolish as he headed for the door and someone opened it for him. He sat outside when he heard the door open again and sighed.
" There you are. ", Rory said coming closer and stopping the wheelchair next to his.
" Go away. ", Michael mumbled.
" What was that back there!? ", Rory asked, " You almost attacked her. ".
" I...Um...I don't know. I just got carried away. ", Michael mumbled.
" And you wanted to what!? Make out with her right there on the dance floor? ", Rory asked.
" Make out with her? ", Michael asked.
" Kiss her. Hold her. Touch her. ", Rory said.
" Yeah. ", Michael sighed.
" Fuck. Didn't anyone ever tell you what do to with a woman? ", Rory asked.
" Weeeeeeeeeell, Tommy told me what to do. ", Michael mumbled.
" Tommy!? Fuck! No wonder you're messed up! Anyway, lets go back inside and you can tell her that you're sorry. ", Rory said.
" No! I can't! ", Michael mumbled.
" Why not!? ", Rory asked.
Before Michael could answer, Siobhan came outside and Rory saw that she was angry.
" Rory, what the fuck were you doing!? You don't say shite like that! ", Siobhan shouted and Michael looked at Rory.
" What is she talking about? ", Michael asked.
" He wants to know what you're talking about. ", Rory sighed.
" Your " best friend " made this little speech about how much YOU want to touch, kiss and have sex with me! ", Siobhan shouted and
Michael's eyes went wide.
" You what!? ", Michael asked.
" I wasn't talking about him! ", Rory shouted.
" Then who the fuck were you talking about!? ", Siobhan demanded.
" Never mind. Can we just go home!? ", Rory asked.
" You right we're going home! Move! ", Siobhan shouted as they went to get their coats and Michael wondered just who Rory was talking about.
---------------------------------------------------------
" When we got home, I told Siobhan how I really felt and she rejected me. The next day she quit and we got Peter. ", Michael sighed then turned the wheelchair around. He saw the straw, with the streamers on it, he had saved from his first trip to a pub, on the night table and he sadly smiled. He moved the wheelchair closer, placing the hat on the bed and picked the straw up looking at it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drunk.
He had never gotten drunk before.
He didn't like the taste of beer at first.
After a few of them, he didn't care.
A girl had kissed him.
He pissed in an alley in the rain.
He had met the most wonderful girl.
Siobhan!
He had gotten them into a nightclub and he " danced ".
Now they were going home and Rory was singing.
The wheelchairs moved up the path when they stopped and Rory looked at the door.
" Well, look at that! We made it back! ", Rory said and Michael laughed.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled and twirled the straw in his fingers.
" Are you going to keep that? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled and smiled.
" Well, we better be quiet or we'll wake everyone up. ", Rory said.
" What time is it? ", Michael asked.
" Do I look like I wear a watch!? ", Rory asked then they laughed, " Shhhhhhhhhhhh! Shhhhhhh! ".
" Sorry. ", Michael mumbled.
" Well, lets go inside. ", Rory said when they headed for the door and Michael tried to get the door open.
" Uh-oh. ", Michael mumbled.
" What? ", Rory asked.
" The door's locked. ", Michael mumbled.
" Fuck. Well....ANNIE!? EILEEN!? OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR! WE'RE HOME! ", Rory shouted and Michael laughed.
" I thought you said we had to be quiet. ", Michael mumbled.
" I did. Thing is, my underpants are going up my arse! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNIE! ", Rory shouted when the door opened and they looked at a very angry Annie.
" There you two are! Do you have any idea what time it is!? ", Annie asked.
" Sorry, Constable, but we left our watches in our other pants! ", Rory said as Michael laughed and Rory smiled.
" It is nearly two thirty in the morning! ", Annie shouted.
" Does that mean we're going to turn into pumpkins? ", Rory asked and Michael snickered.
" We were worried sick about you! ", Annie said.
" I think " Mommy " is mad at us! ", Michael mumbled and Rory laughed.
" Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! That was a good one! ", Rory said.
" What did he say!? ", Annie demanded.
" Nothing. ", Rory said as they smiled at each other then Michael burped and Annie sniffed.
" He's drunk! ", Annie said.
" Noticed that, did you?! ", Rory said.
" You got him drunk!? ", Annie asked.
" No! I got me drunk! ", Michael mumbled.
" He got him drunk. I had NOTHING to do with it! ", Rory said.
" Eileen is going to have a stroke! Get in here now! ", Annie said as they came inside and she led them down the hallway.
" Rory? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah? ", Rory asked.
" Race you to her office! ", Michael mumbled.
" You want to race to her office? ", Rory asked and Michael nodded.
" No! ", Annie shouted and they went down the hallway then into Eileen Sheedy's office. She stood near the desk when they stopped the wheelchairs and Rory smiled at her.
" Hi, Mummy, we're home! ", Rory said as Michael laughed but Eileen didn't.
-----------------------------------------------
" Eileen was so mad at us. You were going to let me take the blame then said it was your fault. It was funny what you said after that. ", Michael mumbled then placed the straw down and left the room. He went into the living room/kitchen area when he looked at the window and blinked.
----------------------------------------------------------
Rory sat looking out of the window when Michael came closer and stopped the wheelchair.
Rory had gotten arrested the day before and he looked straight ahead.
" You ok? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. I'm fine. ", Rory said.
" What's wrong? ", Michael asked.
" Nothing! ", Rory half shouted.
" You know, I didn't ask but how did you get in that car? ", Michael asked.
" I asked the kids if one of them knew where I could get one. One of the little buggers got his da's keys and they, more or less, dragged me in. One of them steered while the other did the pedals. It was amazing! I never drove before. ", Rory said and smiled.
" But you weren't driving.", Michael mumbled.
" Well, one of them held my right hand on the wheel. ", Rory said.
" You, or the kids, could have been really hurt if you hit something. ", Michael mumbled.
" I know. We nearly hit you. ", Rory said.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled and smiled.
" But do you know the worst part? ", Rory asked.
" What? ", Michael asked.
" Some little bugger stole my knit cap when I was coming home from jail. Nicked it right off my head! ", Rory growled.
" You can get a new cap. ", Michael mumbled.
" That's not the point! The point is that I was helpless! I couldn't do a fucking thing to get it back! I hate being like this! ", Rory shouted.
" And you don't think that I don't hate being like this!? You told me to really listen to myself when I talk. I do. I KNOW what I sound like! Now, I'm going out! Are you coming out with me or not!? ", Michael asked and Rory looked at him.
" Fuck! Listen to you! First, you defend Siobhan and, now, this! ", Rory teased, " Ok. Lets go. ".
Michael smiled as they went to get their coats and left the flat.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
" We went to the pub and you conned those girls into buying us drinks. Siobhan was so pissed when we came back. ", Michael mumbled when he headed for the table and looked at the birthday card sitting there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
" Where did that come from? ", Siobhan asked as they came in and she placed the laundry basket down.
" My da left it. ", Rory said when she picked the birthday card up and looked at it.
" It's your birthday!? ", Siobhan asked.
" Yeah. ", Rory sighed.
" How old are you? ", Michael asked.
" How old am I?! ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled.
" Twenty-one. ", Rory said.
" Twenty-one!? Why didn't you say anything!? ", Siobhan asked.
" Because I didn't want a fuss. Look It's nothing. ", Rory said.
" Nothing!? You're twenty-one! That's a big deal! ", Siobhan said.
" To you, yeah. But, to me, it's just another year.", Rory said as Siobhan left the room and he looked at Michael, " Where is she going? ".
" Don't know. ", Michael mumbled.
" All right, we are going out and celebrate! ", Siobhan said as she brought the coats in and Rory sighed.
" No, we are NOT! Just drop it! ", Rory said.
" Bollix! We are going out! ", Siobhan said as she got his coat on then wrapped his scarf around his neck then got Michael's coat on him.
" You can't make me do this! ", Rory half shouted when she got behind his wheelchair and started pushing.
" This says I can! ", Siobhan said and he sighed.
" Fine. We'll go but I will NOT have a good time. ", Rory growled and they left the flat.
------------------------------------------------------------------
" We went to the pub then to the dance club. You were laughing and flirting with the girls most of the night. ", Michael mumbled when he turned the wheelchair around and looked at the bathroom. He moved the wheelchair inside then looked at his reflection and sighed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
" Are you sure this is a good idea? ", Rory asked as they sat in the bathroom and Siobhan was using the hair gel to spike his hair.
" I can't do this and brush your teeth at the same time. Besides, I was late getting you up. ", Siobhan said and Rory looked at Michael.
" But he can barely brush his own teeth. ", Rory said.
" Just let him do it. ", Siobhan teased.
" Fine. ", Rory sighed as Michael placed the toothpaste on the electric toothbrush and frowned, " That's too much. ".
" Is not. Now, open your mouth. ", Michael mumbled and Rory opened his mouth. Michael used both hands as he moved the electric toothbrush back and forth and looked at Rory.
Rory scrunched up his nose when Michael took the electric toothbrush out of Rory's mouth and looked at him.
" Rory? ", Michael asked when Rory sneezed and spit toothpaste into Michael's face.
" Michael!? ", Siobhan shouted as she washed her hands off then cleaned Michael off and Rory looked like a scolded child at them.
" I am SO sorry. ", Rory said as toothpaste dribbled out of his mouth and Siobhan cleaned him off after helping him spit.
" That is the SECOND time you SPIT in my face! ", Michael mumbled and Rory smiled.
" Yeah, it is the second time I spit in your face.", Rory teased.
" You did what!? ", Siobhan asked.
" I was in the paint room, right after I arrived, and was using a straw to paint with. I spit the paint out and hit him in the face with it. ", Rory
said.
" Well, that wasn't nice. ", Siobhan scolded.
" Guess not. ", Rory sighed.
" Well, your teeth are clean enough and I'm done. Lets go have lunch. ", Siobhan said as they left the bathroom and headed for the table.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Michael sadly smiled when he went back into the living room/kitchen then headed for Rory's room. He went inside as he looked at the wheelchair then the bed and sighed.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Michael laid in the dark as he looked at the wall and sniffed.
He had cried after Peter, their new helper, left and wiped his eyes.
" Michael!? ", Rory called out.
" What?! ", Michael mumbled.
" Come in here. ", Rory said.
" No! ", Michael shouted.
" Aw, come on! I need you! ", Rory said.
Peter had left his wheelchair near the bed, he said that it would make it easier if Michael had to get out of bed for some reason, as he got up and got into the wheelchair. He had turned the light on as he sighed and moved the lever. He went inside the other room as he saw Rory looking at him and he saw the red light shining from the overhead lamp.
He had never noticed that before.
" What do you want? ", Michael asked as he stopped the wheelchair and Rory smiled.
" Well, you can get up by yourself. ", Rory teased and Michael glared at him.
" What is it!? ", Michael half shouted.
" Fuck. You still mad at me!? ", Rory asked.
" Yes! ", Michael mumbled.
" I don't blame you. I have been laying here thinking about what happened. I mean I knew that you liked her but I never thought my liking her would nearly fuck us up. ", Rory said.
" I loved her! ", Michael mumbled.
" So did I! The thing is, I don't know if she loved me back. After what happened when you told her, I didn't want to risk it. ", Rory said and Michael sighed.
" You let me make an arse out of myself. ", Michael mumbled.
" I told you not to tell her! ", Rory said.
" What about the rest of it!? When you told me that she wouldn't want anything to do with someone like me!? Were you talking about me or you? ", Michael asked.
" Both. ", Rory sighed.
" Can I ask you something? ", Michael asked.
" Sure. ", Rory said.
" What was the real reason you came after me? You said that WE were going back but it was just me. ", Michael mumbled.
" You don't think they'd let me stay here by myself! The only reason I was allowed to be here in the first place was because you said I was your interpreter. If you went back then I had to. ", Rory said.
" And you'd have to start all over again. ", Michael mumbled.
" Right. And, I don't have the time. Look, I did have choices. I could have gone back inside, got to know Peter and hope they didn't do anything. I could have gone after Siobhan and told her how I felt and see if she wanted to come back and talk. But I chose to come after you. ", Rory said.
" Why?! ", Michael asked.
" Because I could always get a new girl. I have done that before. But I could never get a new best friend. ", Rory said and Michael blinked.
" Really?! ", Michael asked.
" Come off it. You know that we're best friends. That's forever! ", Rory said smiling.
" And it proves something. ", Michael mumbled.
" And that is!? ", Rory asked.
" That you are responsible. ", Michael mumbled.
" True. I didn't want to go back there but I also didn't want anything to happen to you. ", Rory said then coughed and frowned, " Hmmm. ".
" You ok? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. ", Rory said, " Must have swallowed wrong. ".
" So, we're ok? ", Michael asked.
" Are we? ", Rory asked when Michael moved the wheelchair closed and wrapped his fingers around the first two fingers of Rory's right hand.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled then smiled and Rory smiled back then coughed again, " Rory? ".
" I'm fine. Look, go back to bed, ok? ", Rory said and Michael let go of his fingers.
" Just one thing. ", Michael mumbled when he reached up and placed a finger up Rory's nose.
" What the fuck are you doing!? ", Rory asked.
" You EVER come between me and a girl that I like again, I will tear your nose off! ", Michael teased then removed his finger and Rory laughed.
" Deal! Now, go to bed! ", Rory said as Michael nodded and moved the wheelchair to the door and went back into his room.
---------------------------------------------------------------
" I heard you cough a few more times that night. Why didn't you say something!? ", Michael asked then saw the visitor hospital bracelet he wore on the dresser, moved the wheelchair closer, picked it up and blinked.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
" You never liked me? ", Michael asked as he held onto Rory's fingers and Rory smiled under the oxygen mask.
" I'm...teasing.", Rory said.
" Oh. ", Michael mumbled.
" So...you going...to keep...Peter? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled.
" Don't let...them talk you...into going back...to Carrigmore. ", Rory said.
" I won't. In fact, I want to go to the university and study law. ", Michael mumbled and Rory smiled.
" Yeah!? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. Peter's looking into what I need to do. ", Michael mumbled.
" That's...great! ", Rory said.
" So, when did they say you can come home? ", Michael asked and Rory looked at him with sad eyes.
" Michael, I...can't go...home. ", Rory said.
" Yes, you can. I know we might have to get a nurse to ta.. ", Michael mumbled and Rory gently moved his thumb out and squeezed Michael's finger.
" Michael. I'm..dying. ", Rory said.
" Don't say that! ", Michael mumbled.
" I..am. It's...ok. I..knew that..I was...for some time..now. Just didn't...want you...to make..a fuss. ", Rory said.
" A fuss!? You're my best friend! ", Michael mumbled.
" I...know...that. ", Rory said.
" Are you scared? ", Michael asked.
" No. Da had...a priest come...in last...night. He asked...if there..was anything...I wanted..to confess. I told..him what...happened. I mean....everything. He prayed. He then...said that..I was..forgiven. Then....he did...last rites. I never was...much on praying...but..after we...were done, I...felt such...peace that..I never...felt before. I know..where I'm...going. ", Rory said.
" Where? ", Michael asked.
" Up! I asked...if I'd...see my..mum...and he....said if....she was...good in..life...I'd...see... her. ", Rory said.
" Maybe you'll see mine, too. ", Michael mumbled.
" I'll...see...what I..can do...to find...her and...tell her..all about..you.. ", Rory said smiling.
" Thanks. ", Michael mumbled.
" I promise...you this. I'll be...waiting for...you on...the other side. In fact, I'll..come and..get you...when the...time comes. We'll...walk there...together. You can....even...punch...the...fuck out of...me for..what I...did, too. Ok? ", Rory said.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled.
" Know....what? ", Rory asked.
" What!? ", Michael asked.
" The one...thing that...I regret...is that...I never got...my own..flat. ", Rory said.
" Yes, you did. ", Michael mumbled.
" No, it...was yours. ", Rory said.
" No, it was OURS! I didn't just get it for me. I got it for you. You know that. ", Michael mumbled.
" Guess what...I mean...is that...I never...got the...right to live...on my...own. See, for....me, that..would have...been true...freedom. ", Rory said.
Michael looked at him as Rory moved his thumb and Michael squeezed Rory's fingers.
" What's going...on in...that head...of yours? ", Rory asked.
" It's a surprise. That is if I can do what I want to do. ", Michael mumbled and Rory frowned.
" And, what...exactly is..that!? ", Rory asked.
" Promise me that you'll stay around for a bit longer and you'll see. ", Michael mumbled smiling.
" I'll..try. ", Rory said then slowly closed his eyes and Michael looked at the monitor. The light moved up and down as he blinked then felt Rory moving his thumb again, " I'm not..asleep. ".
" I know. I was just letting you rest. ", Michael mumbled and Rory blinked.
" You look...like you're...about to..cry. ", Rory said.
" Am not. ", Michael mumbled.
" Well, not...cry. I'm not...in any..pain And, my life....isn't sad. I have...had a...good life. Just remember....not to...give up, ok? ", Rory asked.
" I won't. ", Michael mumbled.
" And that....you and I...are friends...forever. ", Rory said.
" You're right here. ", Michael mumbled pointing to his chest near his heart and Rory sadly smiled under the oxygen mask.
" Right. ", Rory said when the nurse came inside and Michael let go of Rory's fingers.
" I'm sorry but you have to go now. ", the nurse said and Rory glared at her.
" You are...no fun! ", Rory said.
" I'll come back tomorrow. ", Michael mumbled and Rory wiggled his finger. Michael held Rory's fingers when Rory used his thumb to squeeze Michael's finger and smiled at him.
" Tomorrow...then. ", Rory said and Michael left the room.
--------------------------------------------------
" I went home and typed that letter as fast as I could. Then went to see Siobhan. I told her what I wanted to do but we didn't get an appointment to see the housing board until late that afternoon. I guess you couldn't wait because you died before we got there to tell you that you got your freedom. ", Michael mumbled when the tears filled his eyes and he wiped them.
" Michael!? ", Siobhan's voice called when she came inside the bedroom and looked at him, " There you are. ".
Michael turned the wheelchair around when she looked at him and knelt down. She placed her hands on his knees as he sniffed and she saw
that he had the hospital visitor's bracelet in his hand.
" Were you thinking about Rory? ", Siobhan asked.
" Yes. ", Michael sighed nodding.
" So was I. ", Siobhan said.
" What are you doing here? ", Michael asked.
" Why am I here? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " I went home, cried for a bit, then realized that I left my purse here. I came back and saw that you left the door open. Did you go out? ".
" Yes. ", Michael mumbled nodding.
" By yourself? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded.
" Can I ask you something? ", Michael mumbled.
" Can you ask me something? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " What? ".
" Did you love Rory? ", Michael asked.
" Did I what!? ", Siobhan asked.
" Love Rory? ", Michael asked.
" Did I love Rory? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Yeah. I did. ".
" He loved you, too. ", Michael mumbled.
" He what? ", Siobhan asked.
" Loved you. ", Michael mumbled.
" Rory loved me?! ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Why didn't he say something!? ".
" He didn't want to risk it after I told you how I felt. ", Michael mumbled.
" He didn't want to? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Why!? ".
" He was afraid that you'd reject him like you did me.", Michael mumbled.
" He was afraid? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " That little bastard. ".
" His father's coming tomorrow to get his things. ", Michael mumbled.
" His da's coming tomorrow? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded.
" He said I can keep something of Rory's. ", Michael mumbled.
" He's going to let you keep something? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " What? ".
" The stereo and the yellow poster. ", Michael mumbled and pointed to the stereo then the poster on the door.
" The stereo and that poster? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded.
" I miss him. ", Michael sighed.
" I miss him, too. ", Siobhan said.
" He told me not to cry. ", Michael mumbled.
" He told you what? ", Siobhan asked.
" Not to cry! ", Michael mumbled.
" He told you not to cry!? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " That's bloody stupid! You're supposed to cry when you lose someone you care about. ".
" I think he meant not in front of him. ", Michael mumbled.
" Not in front of him? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " I guess not. It would have made him want to cry and that wouldn't have been a good thing in his condition. ".
" Yeah. ", Michael sighed then shivered. He watched as Siobhan pushed the wheelchair into the next room then helped him sit on the bed and sat next to him. She moved him closer as she held him and Michael shook.
He couldn't hold the tears in any longer.
She stroked his hair and used the tissues from the box on the table near the bed as he cried and she kissed the top of his head. She waited until he calmed down when he looked up at her and sadly smiled.
" You're all wet. ", Michael sighed.
" I'm all wet? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " I'll dry. ".
" Are we friends? ", Michael asked.
" Are we friends? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " Yeah. We are. ".
Michael sighed as she held him and gently rocked him back and forth.
" You know what we should do? ", Siobhan asked and he shook his head, " We should go to the pub, buy some drinks and toast Rory's memory. ".
" That sounds like a good idea. ", Michael mumbled.
" That's a good idea? ", Siobhan asked and he nodded, " All right. Lets go. ".
Michael watched as she helped him get into the wheelchair when they left the flat and Siobhan closed the door behind them.
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The End......
