Mary, Mary

After their hasty exit from the restaurant, Peter and Autumn dragged Micky away from Rachel, with whom he was so suddenly taken, and outside the hotel.

"Micky!" Autumn exploded once the front doors shut behind her.

"What?"

"I thought you wanted to get back together with Gia!"

"Well, I did, but then she was being so difficult, and she wouldn't explain herself."

"Being difficult? Micky, you're not helping much either."

"Autumn, I don't want your help anymore. You tried, and all it did was make things worse. I don't think that Gia and I were meant to be like you and Peter are, so stop trying to make everything hunky dory. It's not."

Autumn sighed resignedly. "Fine, I'll mind my own business." She sank down on one of the stone benches flanking the walkway of the hotel. Peter sat next to her.

Merciful heavens! thought Micky. They'll either discuss me or get mushy. Micky started to walk away, but could tell that they weren't discussing him by the tone of their murmurings. Micky glanced to the left, glanced to the right, and attempted to appear nonchalant as he continued to walk. He made a large circle and ended up right behind the bench the couple was sharing.

"I'm not mad, are you mad?" whispered Peter.

"No, I'm not mad."

"I'll kill him for you."

"How sweet of you, Peter. Are you tired?"

"Of course I am. I stayed up all night last night."

"Why would you do such a silly thing?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"I bet it was the same reason I couldn't sleep."

"What was that?"

"Too busy thinking of you."

"You were right."

Autumn lightly placed one hand on Peter's cheek. They leaned towards one another and—

Micky turned away. Mushy stuff was good for black mail or teasing. Kissing was fine, too—watching got to him!

After a minute or two, it really got to him. "Okay, you two," he said, standing up. "Break it up, love birds."

They ignored him.

"I said break it up."

They continued to ignore him.

"Aw, c'mon, guys," he whined.

They finally stopped kissing. Autumn glanced up at him. "Oh, hey, Mick. Did you say something?"

"Oh, no, no, nothing at all."

"Good. Was there something you wanted?"

"Well, there was, but I don't remember what it was."

"Oh, well, in that case," said Autumn, leaning toward Peter. Micky stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Would you cut it out?"

"Why?"

"Because I asked you to."

"Oh, fine."

"Peter, we've got a gig tomorrow. We'd better get home and get some sleep." Micky pulled Peter to his feet by his arm and started to drag him away.

"Wait," Peter pleaded with Micky.

"You'll have time for lovey-dovey stuff later."

It took Peter all of three seconds to pull free of Micky's grip and run back to Autumn. It took Micky all of ten seconds to recover and grab Peter again.

"Come on, man," Micky urged as he dragged both Peter and Autumn toward the street.

Autumn stopped kissing him abruptly. "Bye," she whispered, giving him another quick kiss before releasing his arms. Peter waved good bye, and Autumn watched, until Micky dragged Peter out of sight.

Mary, Mary Part 3.7263, approx.

back to Mary, Mary Part Two