Micah Johnson Goes West (Get Out, #2)(53)
So he knocked on Dane’s door, and the music was immediately silenced.
“Who is it?”
“Your most favourite person in the world,” Micah said blithely.
The pounding of footsteps, and the door being flung open. “What do you want?”
Micah took the opportunity of the door being opened more than a crack, and pushed his way in. “Do you know, the whole time I’ve lived here, you’ve never invited me into your room?”
He was expecting Dane to fight with him, but he only glowered. “There’s a reason for that.”
But Micah’s attention was captured by the poster hanging to the left of Dane’s unmade bed. It was Sam in full flight, the purple of his Dockers’ guernsey glinting in the sun as he ran with a Sherrin clutched underneath his arm. He turned back to look at Dane in wonder, a new side of his grumpy housemate revealed to him. It was actually rather sweet he looked up so much to his brother, even though Micah had only ever seen him in conflict with Sam.
“Does Sam know about this? Or is he never let in your room either?”
“I like my room being my own.”
“You haven’t chucked me out yet.”
“You’re in here now. And like I’d be able to chuck you out.”
That was true. Micah was taller and heavier than Dane—all he’d really have to do was sit on him to restrain him.
“So what do you want?” Dane asked.
Micah rummaged through his bag, careful not to expose the giant bag of pills that weighed more upon his conscience than his shoulder. He produced a silver foil packet and presented it to Dane with a grand air. “There’s this little coffee shop in Melbourne. One of my favourites on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, called Jasper’s. Which is ironic seeing I know a Jasper in real life who really isn’t one of my favourite people. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I know you like coffee, so I brought you some.”
Dane stared down at the packet, as if it would suddenly shed its exterior and become a nest of wasps. “Why are you being nice to me?”
“Shouldn’t we be nicer to each other in this crazy world? This fussin’ and a-feudin’ has gone on too long.” Micah couldn’t help being Micah and lapsing into humour.
“So you give me some coffee and we’re expected to be best mates?”
“You make it sound like I was the one giving you grief from the beginning. Face it, I’m here for the foreseeable future, and you can’t keep hiding in your room. They’re your family.”
“You’re damn right they’re my family.” A sudden flash of fury made Dane look more lively than Micah had ever witnessed.
“Then start acting like they are.” Micah yawned, wanting the comfort of his bed. “Good night.”
As he went to close the door behind him, Dane said, “Um, thanks for the coffee.”
Micah hid the smile that might have frightened Dane off, especially now that they had gained ground. “You’re welcome.”
They weren’t best mates by any means, but maybe the cold war was over.
READY FOR bed, clad only in his boxers, Micah stared at the handful of pills he had taken from their packets. He knew he was doing the right thing, even if his chances of contracting HIV had been low. Sure, Paul had said he was “clean,” but he could have said anything. Ben had told him the odds were in his favour, but you never knew. The main thing was that he was doing the responsible thing.
He washed them down with a mouthful of warm Gatorade, which had been splashing around in his bag since the waiting terminal at Melbourne Airport; the pills felt bulky and almost caught in his throat but he swallowed another mouthful to get them down.
Micah didn’t feel any different: just another set of pills that could have been for anything. He hoped they did their job.
That night a fever developed and he got the runs. He had to beg off practice, but luckily he could blame it on picking up some sort of virus from the plane. It was a regular occurrence among the players, so there was no suspicion it could be anything else. By the second day he was feeling much better and managed to attend a shaky training session. The coach told him he still looked terrible, but that was it. Soon it was just like taking a vitamin, except there were tests coming up in the future. It was the best way to deal.
From the Reach Out, 25 June 2016
Out and About With Jasper Brunswick
A TALE OF TWO ATHLETES
MICAH JOHNSON and Will Deanes are examples of the highs and lows of pursuing the dream of athletic stardom. Will Deanes was to be placed in the draft for the AFL later this year. Micah Johnson was a success story of last year’s draft, finding a place with the Fremantle Dockers and relocating to Western Australia. He has proved himself a strong performer, and there is every expectation he will become better as he gains strength and experience to become a senior player in the future.
Will Deanes, unfortunately, has experienced all the lows. A bus accident that left his teammates with only slight injuries resulted in Will breaking his back. His career in the professional, even the suburban, leagues is over.
To such a young man that would be a devastating blow. But it could have been worse. Having now undergone another surgery, the future is looking a little bit brighter for Will. Once the swelling goes down, doctors remain hopeful that he could walk again. It will be a long, hard rehabilitation process, but Will may find himself on his feet once more.