CHAPTER TWO
It had been over a week since Mike had spent his evening with Ty. He hadn't seen him or his mother much over the past week, only a few times passing in the hallway. He noticed that Ty seemed reserved and quiet. Mike attempted to be friendly, but they were both a little standoffish and Mike decided to let it go.
The day was growing late, and Mike was stretched out on his couch watching television while eating some chips. It had been a rough day for him as memories of his dead family had haunted him. He was emotionally drained but fighting sleep because he dreaded the dreams that he knew would be coming. He was startled when he heard a frantic banging on his door.
He cautiously got up checking the time and frowned. The banging resumed and he went to his door and cracked it open. When he peered into the hall, he felt his gut clench as he saw a frazzled Ty about to bang on his door again. The boy had tears on his face and looked very distraught. Mike could hear shouting coming from down the hall now that his door was open.
"Ty, what's wrong?" Mike asked quickly as he fully opened his door. The boy looked back over his shoulder at his own apartment, the door half open.
"Mom and Jeremy are fighting, and I didn't want to stay anymore. Can I come in down here?" The boy's voice was strained.
"Of course. Come on in," Mike said stepping to the side. "What are they fighting about?"
"Jeremy is mad he has to watch Wyatt all the time, I think. I wasn't really listening to what they were saying. I didn't want to be down there anymore."
"I understand. Is Wyatt, okay?"
"He's in his room I think I don't know. I don't like to be around Jeremy when he's like this."
"Sit down. Are you hungry? Need anything?"
"I just want to watch television. I hate it when they fight."
"They fight a lot?" Mike asked as he joined Ty on the couch. The boy shrugged and wiped at his face. "Well, you're always welcome down here when you need to get away. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," Ty said with a nod as he wiped at his eyes again. Mike could tell he was struggling to stop the tears and was embarrassed by them. Mike reached over and pulled the boy to him hugging him tight. Mike felt Ty wrap his arms around his middle and squeeze tight. Mike held him for a long while and the boy simply settled in against him, accepting the comfort.
Mike felt horrible for the boy. His home life was obviously a wreck. He hoped the boy understood that he would have a safe haven in his home. He missed his own kids dearly. Ty finally pulled back and shuffled to the other end of the couch. They went back to watching television. After a bit of silence Mike's curiosity got the better of him.
"You said Jeremy isn't yours or Wyatt's dad?"
"Right. Just a guy that chased mom."
"I take it you don't like him much?"
"He uses my mom. She works hard and he just…complains."
"What happened to your dad?" Mike asked. He saw Ty's face cloud over with sadness. Mike felt a little bad for asking. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that."
"No, it's okay, I guess," Ty mumbled. He picked at his sleeve and stared at the floor. Mike let it go and didn't say anything more for a few moments. Ty finally continued. "He died when everyone else got sick. That's what mom said anyway. He was in the Army and wasn't home when it happened."
"You were what, six?"
"Yeah, when the world got sick. Mom got us to a cabin in the woods and we managed to stay alive. Then that ship brought the cure back and Mom and I were okay." Mike nodded. He didn't say anything about the ship, and his role. He didn't think that anyone around here knew just who he was, and he liked it that way.
"Where's Wyatt's dad?"
"I don't know. I don't know who it was. Mom wasn't really with anyone when that happened."
Mike nodded slowly. "How are things going at school?" Ty gave him a frown and a shoulder shrug. "That good, huh?"
"I don't know, it's school." Mike chuckled. They went back to watching television, an action movie playing. Ty had been there an hour before Mike heard a knock on his door. He got up and opened the door finding Ginny standing there. She looked stressed and worn out. Mike stepped aside and let her come in.
"Ty here?" she asked as she stepped into his apartment. Mike simply nodded and pointed a finger at the boy on his couch. Ginny stood and stared at the boy; her lips pursed. Mike thought she looked like she was trying not to cry.
"He didn't like the fighting," Mike said quietly. Ginny glanced at him with a guilty look. "I hope it's okay he came down here. He's always welcome here when he needs a break." Ginny gave him a long look trying to read into what Mike was saying. Mike held up his hands and smiled. "It's a safe place for him to come."
"Thank you," she finally said. Mike thought she looked broken mentally. He felt bad for them. "Ty, we need to go."
The boy looked at her and slowly got up from the couch. Mike could tell in his body language he didn't want to go back down to their apartment. Mike nodded at the boy and motioned with his head he needed to go with his mom.
"It's time to go, Ty, listen to your mom," Mike said softly. Ginny looked at him then back at Ty.
"Come on, I don't need any more stress tonight," she said in a clenched voice. Mike was surprised when Ty came around the couch and gave him a tight hug before he walked out of the apartment. Ginny gave him another look then followed her son out the door. Mike followed them to the door and then watched as they walked down the hallway and disappeared into their own apartment. They were having a hushed but heated argument when they shut the door and disappeared from sight. Mike sighed and closed his own door.
He settled back on his couch and tried to relax enough to go to sleep. His brain was stuck on Ty and how helpless the boy seemed. He knew the kid wasn't happy with his living situation, but Mike couldn't do anything about that. He didn't see any signs of physical abuse on either of them, but he figured there was plenty of emotional and verbal abuse going on down the hall. Eventually Mike fell asleep on his couch.
To Be Continued…
