The clock in the living room stroke 03:00 am. Midnight. MacKenzie's eyes sprung open. He was sweating and breathing heavily. He looked to the left of his side and stared out the window. He saw that his curtains were open and could see the tree in the backgarden and the starts in the sky. He then looked at the ceiling and stared at the glow in the dark star and planets on his ceiling until he calmed down again. He then looked at the right and looked at the door of his bedroom and his desk next to it.
He smiled and began to laugh. It was all a very, bad dream he thought. There was no hospital. There was no accident. His parents were ok. It was all not true. He was in his own bed, in his own room inside of his own house.
He jumped out of bed to get a glass of water. As soon as he got on the ground he whimpered in pain. His back! It felt like a someone was stabbing him inbetween his ribs. He wanted to move his arms, but then noticed that one arm was in a cast.
''But… it was all a dream right?'' he mumbled to himself.
He walked towards the door and opened it. It led through a narrow corridor with three other doors. One to the bathroom, the other to the living room and the last one to his parents bedroom. He walked towards the bathroom door and opened it. Inside he went to the toilet for a wee and afterwards he grabbed his mug, took some water and gulped it down. He was quite thirsty. He putted down his mug, looked in the mirror and screamed. He hadn't seem himself in a mirror once since he got out of coma and this was his first look.
He saw some of his black fur missing, revealing small, bald spots. As if the fur there was burned away, although it was growing back. He lifted the extra fluffy fur, that all Border-Collies have, on his chest up and it revealed a big, pink bald spot with a scar.
He let the fur fall down again and grabbed his ears when he noticed a cut in one of his ears.
It was the ear that always stood up. He always hated that ear. Normally Border-Collies would only have either drooped down ears or ears that would be a bit bend. His father had the first and his mum the second. He had one drooped ear and one standing up. The latter was a rare condition among the breed and something his doctor had told him and his mother years ago that, that would never change. It wasn't life-threatening, abnormal or ugly but he hated it. It felt for him like he wasn't normal. Just like his feet both having a other color. Something his parents did not have, but what he inherited from his grandfather on his mother's side that had the same. He hated it because it made him feel standing out. And now his ugly ear also had a cut in it! That one ugly ear that he hated was even uglier now. He came closer to the mirror and noticed also some bruises on his muzzle and a recovering black eye. He threw the mug in the sink, causing it to break.
He wanted to cry and a tear came back. ''But… it was all a dream right?'' he mumbled again to himself.
''Maybe the the crash and stay in the hospital really did happen. But not that with mum and dad!'' he said loudly to himself.
He stormed out the bathroom back in the little corridor. He stood still and heard something. It was snoring!
He took a sigh of relief. It was his dad. Couldn't be something or someone else. He opened the door of his parents bedroom to see them. The room was lit by the moonlight that shined through the window. He looked inside and to his surprise and despair he saw a empty double bed.
''But.. but.. that snoring sound..'' MacKenzie asked himself.
Then he heard that sound again. He turned around and noticed now that it was coming from the living room. He walked towards the door leading to it and opened it quietly. He let out a gasp when he opened the door and was staring at a blue back with a black spot on it. Almost next to the door was Bandit sleeping on his inflatable mattress, snoring. MacKenzie didn't see his face but he knew that the dog sleeping in his living room was fast asleep.
MacKenzie closed the door silently and with sagging shoulders he trudged back to his room. He stood in front of his bed, bolted his fists and then said to himself: ''It was not a dream''. He turned away and run to his parents bedroom. He stormed in the room, jumped and landed in the middle of the bed, ignoring the pain in his ribs and arm. When he was younger he used to sleep in the middle, between his parents whenever he had a bad dream or felt lonely. He hoped that this would calm him down. But being all alone in that bed did not feel the same or gave that same feeling of safety it once provided.
He smelled the left pillow and smelled the recognizable strong odor mixed with cheap perfume of his father. He turned and smelt the right cushion and smelt the recognizable soft and sweet scent of his mum.
He hugged both pillows and held them close while he once again started to howl and cry untill about twenty minutes later when he felt asleep again.
Bandit woke up to the sounds of chirping birds outside. He looked at the clock and he saw that it was already 8:30am. He stretched and got himself out of bed. It was weird waking up here, but he knew for who he was doing it. He opened the door to the corridor and went to the bathroom to do his busines.
''I just hope MacKenzie doesn't have to use the bathroom for the next half our'' he thought to himself when he was done and flushed.
He walked towards the sink and then noticed a broken mug in the sink. He picked it up and noticed that it was still wet, meaning it was used recently. He cleaned it up, washed his hands and walked towards MacKenzie's room.
He knocked on the door and opened it. He saw that the bed was slept in but MacKenzie wasn't in his bed. A bit surprised he walked back to the living room but could't find him there either. He peaked in the kitchen to see if he was there making breakfast but it was quit. He walked fastly to the garage but saw it was empty too. Worried Bandit thought that MacKenzie had run away. He wanted to search outside but then noticed the front door was still locked from the inside, meaning that he hadn't left. Bandit decided to search again and walked towards MacKenzie's room. Then he noticed the door of the other bedroom stood a bit open. When he peaked in there he saw MacKenzie with his back towards the door, laying in the bed. He was still asleep.
Bandit looked with pitty as he realised the pup crawled in his parents bed the other night for comfort and that he was holding the pillows tightly against him.
''Poor kid'' he whispered to himself as he closed the door softly. He walked back to the kitchen and was starting to make breakfast for himself.
While his eggs were boiling and the sausages were in the pan, he picked up his phone from its charger and looked at it. He had some messages.
One from Calypso saying that she would come to see MacKenzie in the afternoon as she had to visit her dentist first. She also said that Bandit could go home to see his kids and that she would stay untill the evening when he would come back. He replied and then read the other messages.
It were two from Chili.
The first asked him how the evening went, how MacKenzie was and if he could pick up Bingo and her friend Lila up from acting classes. Something the both attended every Saturday morning.
He replied short and simple with one message that read: ''Evening was fine. Slept well. The kid had it difficult. Found him in his parents bed. Is still asleep. B&L = *thumbs up*''.
He then went to read the next message that only read. ''Be prepared when you get home.. BIM''. He stared at that message. He, Chili and the kids had made up some abbreviations for sentences that they would use frequently for each other and so that typing, for the parents mostly, would be easier and faster. But this was one of the few that they rarely used or maybe even never used before and Bandit couldn't remember what BIM stood for.
He selected reply to just ask Chili what she meant, when he heard the door open. He put his phone away and walked to the living room and saw MacKenzie strumbling inside. He was awake but didn't look like it. He fur was scurvy and still dirty. His eyes were not dark red anymore, but still bloodshot and he was clearly not here in the moment with his mind.
''Goodmorning kiddo. How are you?'' Bandit asked friendly with a smile. ''I made some breakfast. You want some?''
MacKenzie looked at Bandit and gave a little smile back at him. he wasn't hungry and didn't want to eat, but he knew that Bandit would then only get worried about him and would tell how important breakfast is. Also the fact that he stayed over for the night and made breakfast for him was something he appreciated, so.. to not to disappoint him he just nodded yes, went to the kitchen and sat down at the dinner table.
Bandit had set the table and put down the food. The both sat across from each other and started to eat. Mackenzie ate slow while Bandit ate like he hasn't seen food in days. Apart from the munching sounds, it stayed quiet between them. MacKenzie not really feeling in the mood to talk and Bandit did not wanted to force a conversation. After breakfast was done MacKenzie helped Bandit too clean up.
After they were done MacKenzie decided to clean him self up.
''Mr. Heeler. I think i'm going to take that shower now. But how do i take this cast off?''
''Uh. You don't. It stays on'' Bandit answered.
''On? But what if it gets wet?'' MacKenzie asked.
''No worries about that. it is made to withstand that. You can take a shower without any problems''.
''Do i need to worry about the scars or other damages i have?''
''No you don't. You are healing fast and most of you is already healed. Take that shower, it will refreshen you''.
MacKenzie thanked him and walked to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and stepped inside. The water felt surprisingly comfortable on his fur and skin underneath. It relaxed him and softened his muscles. He cleaned himself thorough with a washcloth and soap. When he was done, he shut off the shower and then shook himself. It was one of those things dogs did to dry themself, but young dogs wouldn't learn it untill they were older. He himself had learned it from his father after a visit to the swimming pool just a couple of weeks earlier. He was thankfull that he learned it because drying of with the towel now took less time.
He brushed his teeth and then went back to the living room. Bandit sat on the cough and was watching tv. When he saw MacKenzie entering he invited him to come over and sit beside him. MacKenzie did and together they watched the news.
When it was over, Bandit switched off the tv and turned to MacKenzie.
''So, tell me how you really feel right now'' he said unexpected.
MacKenzie looked up in suprside and stared at the older Heeler. He knew he couldn't escape so he decided just to talk.
''I feel empty. I feel sad. I feel angry. I feel… i feel.. i don't know what i or how to feel. Empty like i said'' he said softly.
''I know you do'' Bandit said.
''You do? Are your parents also gone?'' MacKenzie asked.
''Uh.. well. *sighed* no. I still have both of my parents'' Bandit admitted.
''Then how do you know how i feel!?'' MacKenzie said both surprised and offended.
''I shouldn't have said that. Look mate i know you have hard time right now and i didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. But it's important to keep talking.''
''I don't really want to talk. I want one thing and that is impossible to get'' MacKenzie said helpless as he turned his head to the now switched off television.
Bandit was very disappointed with himself. He ruined the change for conversation he felt.
It once again stayed quiet between the two for a while untill MacKenzie turned to Bandit again.
He looked at him and asked: ''What is going to come of me?''
Bandit looked a bit suprised. He knew he shouldn't because he knew this question would come eventually and he understood. But he wasn't prepared for it now.
While Bandit thought of a answer, MacKenzie continued. ''Are you going to live here permanently or am i going to stay here alone? Does my aunt know, has she called already?'' he wanted to know.
''No. Your family doesn't know it yet. We inform them today. We wanted you to know first'' Bandit answered him directly so he could have change to answer MacKenzie's questions.
MacKenzie kept his mouth and listend to what Bandit had to tell: ''Me and Calypso have signed legal papers to take care off you'' he said.
''What does that mean?'' asked MacKenzie.
''Well it means that for some time we are technically your parents''.
''But you and Calypso are not my parents'' MacKenzie said a bit confused.
Bandit gave a small smile. ''I know, but we do now the tasks your parents used to do for you. So giving you a bed to sleep, taking care of you, making sure you eat, go to school, managing your finances and so on''.
MacKenzie: ''Oh. I understand now. But will you do that forever? Musn't you take care off Bluey and Bingo too?'' he asked.
''No, we can't do this forever. Not that we don't want to, but the rules made by the government say so. Me and Calypso only do this temporarily. Just until your family gets here. Then they will take care of you''.
MacKenzie looked suprised again. ''What do you mean? Are they going to move to here?''
Bandit: ''No, not that i know off. But because they are your family they will probalby adopt you. Meaning that someone of your family would take care off you. Isn't that a comforting thought?''
MacKenzie looked a bit paniced: ''No…Who? Who of them? I only know my aunt. My grandparents can't take care off me. Does that mean i have to move to New-Zealand?'''
''Well, if they don't want to live here, then probably yes so i'm afraid. Then you will move back with them to New-Zealand. You lived there right? So it's not a strange place, is it? That must be nice.'' Bandit said.
''I'M NOT FROM NEW-ZEALAND AND I DON'T WANT TO MOVE OR LIVE THERE!'' MacKenzie yelled angrilly. Bandit was shocked by his reaction.
''But i thought you were born there?'' he questioned.
''Born yes! But i don't remember anything from it. I was like ten or eleven months old when my parents moved to here. I only know that country from hearing and visits to my aunt in the summer and a couple of times with christmas!'' MacKenzie explained with tears forming in his eyes.
''I don't want to leave Australia. I'm Australian, all my friends live here, i know it here! Don't make me leave!'' MacKenzie grabbed Bandit's shoulders in desperation. Bandit placed his paws on MacKenzie's shoulders.
''Look, we are sorry. But your family has the final say. Neither me nor Calypso can decide otherwise. If they want to take care off you, you have to go with them eventually.'' Bandit had a face full of pity but he decided to tell the truth and not to sucarcoat anything.
MacKenzie was starting to get angry.
''So first they take away my parents, and now they want to take my life to!'' MacKenzie said angrily.
''No. We and them only want the best for you.'' Bandit said.
MacKenzie pushed Bandit away from him, got up from the cough and stormed towards the door to the corridor. He turned around and said loudly: ''The only best thing that could have happend or can happen for me right now was if i was dead! Like mum and dad.''
Before Bandit could say anything, MacKenzie slammed the door shut and crawled under the sheets in his parents bed again. Bandit sighed and did not know what to do or say. He was not angry at MacKenzie but felt bad for him. He knew that he was emotional, but that last thing he said worried him.
For the next hour he tried to talk again to MacKenzie but he wouldn't answer or say anthing when Bandit knocked on the door. Defeated Bandit sat in the old, green chair and waited untill Calypso arrived.
When a other hour later she arrived, he greeted her and briefly told her what happend. She told him that she would stay so he could pick up Bingo and go home to see his kids for a while. He thanked her and got in his car.
When he arrived at the theater class he saw Bingo and Lila already standing outside. He parked his car so that they could enter.
''Hey ya girls. How was today class?'' he asked.
''It went great. We finally know which play we are going to perform and we get our roles'' said Lila .
Bandit started the car and road off. ''That sounds great. What is it called and are you two playing tree one and two or sunflower three and five?'' Bandit said with a smirk.
''Haha funny dad'' Bingo said sarcastically. ''It's called 'The Earthling' and it's rather quit a nice and sad story''.
''I play a mother'' said Lila .
''I am a kangaroo'' said Bingo proud.
''A kangaroo? That's quite a challenge. You think you can handle that Bingo?'' asked Bandit.
''Yes dad!'' said Bingo annoyed, making Lila laugh.
After a short drive they arrived at the Heeler's house. Bingo and Lila got out and went to Bingo's room where they wanted to read and learn their lines for the play. Bandit walked straight to the kitchen to grab something to drink. In the kitchen he was greeted by Chili.
''Hi sunshine of my life'' she said when she heard him walking in the kitchen. She turned around to face him. ''Wow. You look tired. I thought you said you had a good night rest?'' she said as she walked towards him to give him a kiss on the cheek.
''I did'' he said followed by him taking the last sips out of a orange juice box. ''I had a talk with MacKenzie after brekkie. It did not go well''.
''What happend?'' Chili asked. Bandit sat down and wanted to start telling his story untill he heard a other voice coming from behind him. It came from the opening of the kitchen door saying: ''Yeah, what happend?''.
Bandit turned around. In the dooropening stood Bluey. Her arms crossed and looking quite angry.
''Hi there Bluey. Is something wrong?'' Bandit asked awkwardly.
''Oh no.. no there is nothing wrong dad'' she said while she slowly walked towards him untill she stood in front of him.
''Are you sure about that? You look kinda mad. Is there really nothing wrong?'' Bandit continued, clearly not reading his daughters face.
''Nope. Nothing wrong. Just wondering what you had to tell'' she said stern.
''Well honey. I was going to tell you mum something in private and not meant for you. So if you don't mind..'' Bandit pointed at the door. ''Please. I promise i will see you in five minutes after we are done talking, okay?''.
''Oh okay. Sure dad. I understand.'' Bluey said.
''Thank you Bluey''.
''Yeah, yeah no problem. Please continue talking and please keep more secrets from me. Especially about my friends.'' Bluey said while walking towards the door.
Bandit frowned. ''What do you mean with that?'' he said.
Bluey sighed; ''Nothing dad''.
''Bluey, please tell me what is wrong.'' Bandit asked her.
''There is nothing wrong. And if there was anything wrong then you will hear it from uncle Stripe, or maybe Nana or aunt Trixie. As that is the way appearantly how we tell each other things around here!'' Bluey said, now compeltly red and angry.
''Bluey! Please.'' said Chili strict. ''We talked about this, this morning. Your father didn't meant to.''
''What is going on!?'' demanded Bandit. He didn't understood it.
''What is going on? Mum, did you hear him just ask what is going on? What's going on is that for the last couple of days i was worried sick about a good friend, one of my best friends. Nobody knew where he was. He could have moved to a other city, he could have been kidnapped, he could have been dead. Nobody knew except you!''
Bandit began to understand and looked nervously at Chili and then back to Bluey.
''For days i wondered if i maybe did something or said something wrong that could have upset him and that leading to him not to speak to us!'', she was trying to keep her tears from rolling down her cheeks but failed. Then she pointed her finger towards Bandit.
''I told you! I told you so many times. Every day i told you in convidence, cried even some days, that i was so worried and felt sick about it. And…and.. you knew! You knew about it dad! You pretended like you didn't knew anything about his condition and lied to me. You made me feel sick and worried. Why? You promised that you would never lie to us!''.
Bluey turned away and run to the stairs to her bedroom. She didn't share one with Bingo anymore. Upstairs she slammed the door shut.
Bandit was left stunned. ''What... how...'' he stammered.
'I tried to warn you. I texted BIM this morning so you could prepare yourself for this''. said Chili.
''I couldn't remember what is stood for'' said Bandit.'
''BIM stands for Bluey Is Mad, remember. And BIA stands for Bingo Is Angry. To keep the two seperate.'' Chili explained.
Bandit looked at Chili.: ''How did she knew that i knew before her?''.
Chili sighed: ''Don't get angry at him, but Stripe accidently spilled some beans yesterday about your conversation about the situation.''
''The bastard!'' yelped Bandit as he flew from his chair.
''Calm down. He didn't know that we hadn't told her the news''.
''Still. He needs to know when to keep shut.'' Bandit said annoyed.
''I think it's for the best if you talked to her'' said Chili while wrapping a arm around her husband. He sat down again and sighed.
''I can't. If i got a dollar buck for every time i made a kid angry and cry today….i would have had two dollar bucks right now. It's not much, but it's upsetting that it happend twice on one day.''
''I assume that it didn't go well with MacKenzie today?'' Chili continued.
''No. He was silent and when i tried to start a conversation i first ruined it by mentioning that i still have parents at my age and then it went to the future real quick. I made again a mistake about talking about adoption by his family and moving to a other country and that, rightly, upset him. I shouldn't have done that.''
''Oh Bandit. That's was not smart''.
''I know alright! I will make up to him. Right now i also have a daughter to apologize to'' he said while standing up. He walked up the stairs to Bluey's room.
He heard soft cry's coming from the other side. He knocked softly on the door.
''Go away!'' she shouted.
Bandit opened the door anyway. ''Hey there kiddo''.
''I'm sorry, did i speak Congolese? Bluey said angrily. She was sitting on her bed, her arms folded around her knees.
Bandit ignored the comment and sat down next to her. She scooted futher from him.
''Bluey, please. Let me explain.'' Bandit tried.
''What is there to explain?'' she snapped at him. ''You broken my trust.''
''I didn't mean to, really. I thought it was for the best not to tell yet''.
Bluey became angry again and started to see red again. She turned her face away from him.
''The best?! Knowing what had happend, to know the truth would have been the best! I shared my worries, my secrets and my cries with you. How would you feel if Lucky's dad was seriously injured and i would know and not tell you!''.
Bandit looked at the ground a bit uncomfortable. He wouldn't like that but he dared not to say it.
Bluey continued as Bandit let her rage: ''I could have helped. The boys would have wanted to help. He was in a hospital all alone! We are his friends and we never showed up, called him or even send him a card! He must have thought we abandon him or something while we taught he abandoned us! You were breaking us apart dad! How could you. And the worst thing is that you have visit him in the hospital, picked him up even, brought him home and now i even understand you slept at his house!. What is that all about! What were you doing there!''
Bluey picked up a stuffed animal from her bed and threw it at the wall. ''AAARRRRGGHH!''.
Chili meanwhile was standing in the door opening. She wasn't going to intervere but was a listener. She would also make sure that Bingo stayed in her room and did not eavesdrop.
Bandit cleared his throat and started to speak.
''Bluey, listen. I am really, really sorry. Words can't express actually how sorry i am. I never wanted to lie. I never wanted to hurt you. I love you to much to ever lie or hurt you. I thought by not telling it, i would hurt you less then if i would told it. I really thought if i could postpone the news it wouldn't hurt you that much when you would hear it eventually. I wanted to tell you it, really, but i did not know how to tell you it or when.''
Bluey turned her face again to look at her father now. Now Bandit was the one with tears in his eyes. ''Dad. I had to hear it from my teacher. She knew. Then i learned from uncle Stripe that he knew. You could tell it to him. Why not me?'' she said with a sad voice.
''I wouldn't hurt your uncle Stripe with telling him. He doesn't even know who his nextdoor neighbor is, let alone one of your friends. I needed to share it with a emotionless dummy to get it of my chest''. Bandit explained.
'Why couldn't you tell mum?'''
Chili gave Bandit a quick death stare which he sentenced.
''She.. she also didn't know untill i had to tell her because you already knew after aunt Trixie dropped you off here yesterday'' Bandit said to protect Chili from Bluey's anger.
''But why did you pick him up? Why didn't you ask me to come along? Why did you sleep at his house? That's not normal''. Bluey continued. A bit calmed down but still clearly upset.
Bandit didn't know if he had to tell her what happened.
''Bluey, i am again so sorry for not telling you what i knew and that i kept it to myself. I have only known it myself for just a couple of days. I wanted to help MacKenzie. He has a very difficult time at the moment. He needed someone, so i stepped in. And i never thought about including you and for that i'm sorry. I also didn't want to saddle you with the misery that came with it''.
Bluey looked questionably at him. ''What kind of misery is he in?''.
Bandit went silent and looked at his daughter. It broke his heart that she was so upset. He grabbed her paw and stood up. ''Come with me'' he said. Bluey hesitated. ''What are we going to do?'' she asked him.
''We are going to MacKenzie. Together this time.''