Mikey comes home to an empty apartment. He was tired. Dreary. What is happening to me? He couldn't understand it. He lost control, again. He was always a little hot tempered, some might say troubled even. The last time he can remember punching someone was a week before his father's funeral. It was his cousin Jaime. He could still remember it as if it were yesterday.

His aunts and uncles from both sides of the family had come to their house, as they do when someone dies. He could remember his mother crying on the sofa, it was only a week since his father succumbed to his illness. Brain cancer, it came for him one night, within the next two weeks, he was gone. Jaime turned up at the house drunk, grieving. He started to say things; things that should never be spoken about the dead.

Uncle Richie didn't care about me. That mean son of a bitch should rot in hell. Jaime cursed. Mikey's temper flared at the last line and he and Jaime ended up wrestling on the floor. That's when Mikey knew things would change. Though he and Jaime were like brothers, they never spoke again. Jaime didn't come to the funeral, Jaime's mother; Mikey's aunt says he was ashamed. Mikey's father was more than just an uncle to Jaime. He practically raised him. But when he landed in some trouble with the law, Uncle Richie decided not to post bail, deciding that it was best he stayed there, for his own good. Some people you cannot teach Mikey, they must learn on their own or else they will never grow into who they are supposed to be. He remembers his father saying when Mikey asked. That is where the rift started. He regrets the fight with his cousin, but this one, with Simon. He deserved it.

...

The following week at work went by fast. Mikey didn't speak to his mother, Chrissy or Cheyenne. Cheyenne, though she stopped giving him death stares, was still awkward around him and him around her. He still didn't know what to say to her. He wishes he was one of those suave and charming men then knew exactly what to say to a woman. But he isn't. Now he's here on a Friday evening, with a house plan to finish for Monday. A weekend alone at home it is then. Mikey sets his laptop down on the kitchen counter after having his dinner, then begins to work.

Saturday morning, he wakes to texts from Jonathan.

Johny: Yo Mikey, going to gym today around 9. Coming?

The text was sent at 8 this morning, it was now 9:30.

Mikey: Sorry, just woke. Won't make it.

Truth is, he didn't want to leave his house. He didn't want to see anyone. The world has nothing to offer me today. He decides looking out from his balcony. With a sigh, walks back into his apartment, closes his bedroom door and plops back into bed.

Later that evening his phone buzzes.

Johny: Yo Mikey, going to have drinks with some guys from College. Come out with us?

Mikey could think of nothing worse than chatting with a bunch of people he rarely speaks to, pretending as if he's just fine. When he isn't.

Mikey: No. I don't feel the vibes.

Johny: Alright.

Sunday

Mikey rolls out of bed Sunday morning feeing drowsy. He has a headache. Probably from the lack of eating yesterday. He checks the time. It's 8:30 am. The time he usually would be getting ready for church. Ugh. Do I want to go? I'm not ready. God forgive me but I cannot go to church today. Mikey prays. He checks his messages. There're two from Johny.

Johny: Hey, are you going to church today?

Johny: Hello? Mikey you up? Time to get ready for church.

Mikey: I'm not going, not feeling well.

Johny: Alright, well if you feel better you can come to Sunday evening service

Mikey: Maybe.

...

"So is he coming?" Raquel calls from the bathroom as she curls her hair. Jonathan sighs.

"No, I don't know what is happening with him. Ever since that girl came back in his life, he's been..."

"Okay stop right there. I know you don't like Chrissy but she's still my friend and she is going through a rough time too"

" I know hun, I am sorry. I am just worried about Mikey. When he gets depressed, he gets dark and angry."

" Well it's a good thing he has a friend like you, to keep him grounded".

Jonathan smiles up at his wife. " Well you know, I am pretty special". His wife kisses him on the cheek. " Well you had to be special to land a woman like me"

" Ha ha ha, very funny"

" Come on, let's go we don't want to be late"

" Well if you didn't take half an hour to comb your hair we would have been out of here" Raquel rolls her eyes.

" Hey you know I need to look good for Jesus"

" The song writer says, come just as you are Raquel" Jonathan retorts opening the door to leave. He grabs the car keys off the hook.

"Right and I am fabulous so I gotta look it" She says beaming at her husband.