No Time

"Yeah, arson . . . I know . . . really—sock it to me!" Autumn turned around and saw Gianna standing in the door way. "Oh, I gotta go. Bye." Autumn hung up the telephone. "Hey, Gia. What's up?"

"Can I talk to you?"

"Can't you always?"

"Of course. But I am more used to you coming to me for help. Like the time you and Peter broke up about a month ago."

"Yeah. I guess it's the other way around this time, huh? Anyway, come on in, take a seat. In fact, take two, they're small."

Gia collapsed in a chair with a cry of anguish. She sighed. "Micky . . . . What was wrong with him?!"

"He was being a jerk, and you don't even know the half of it."

"But . . . why?"

"He got scared—And when he got scared, he got selfish, and he got jerky."

"Why was he scared?"

"Y'know, I really don't think it's my place to say. I wouldn't even know if it weren't for Peter. It's none of my business . . . but—"

"But what?"

"—If you come buy the guys' in an hour, Peter can tell you himself."

"Okay, I'll be there—but only if Micky's not."

"Oh, of course he won't be. I'd better get down there and make sure Peter will tell and Micky won't be around." Autumn ushered Gia out the door.

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

"Micky, come down here!"

"You're not my real mother!"

"I don't care—get your tail down here!"

Micky heaved a great sigh, but did as he was told.

"Micky," Peter began, "why don't you sit right here?" He motioned to an overstuffed chair that was facing the bay window.

"Why?"

"Because I say so," said Autumn mock-threateningly.

"Y'know what I call people like you?" Micky said defiantly.

"What?" Autumn asked through clenched teeth, narrowing her eyes.

"Ma'am," Micky squeaked.

"That's more like it. Now sit down." Micky sat. "Good. Now, tell me straight—if you could make amends with Gia, would you?"

"Definitely—I would jump at the chance—if she wasn't still mad."

"Would you talk things out with her?"

"Well . . . maybe."

"Maybe?"

"If she didn't bite my head off immediately."

"Oh. I see."

The front door opened. "Hi, Gia," greeted Peter. Autumn stood up and rushed over to see Gia, leaving Micky to enjoy his view.

"Gia, real quick, if you could get back together with Micky, would you?"

"As long as he had a good reason for breaking up with me."

Micky jumped up and whirled around to face Gia. "Breaking up with you?! I didn't break up with you, you broke up with me!"

"That's ridiculous! If it weren't for you and your stupid pet insecurities, we'd still be together!"

"My insecurities?! You're the one that needs me there with a hug every minute of the day!"

"That's not true and you know it. In my time of need, I wanted a little support, but where were you?" With that, Gia walked out of the house and slammed the door behind her.

It was then Autumn's turn to lose her cool. She turned on Micky. "Micky!" Autumn reproached.

"Shut up, Autumn," Micky barked. He stalked past Autumn and Peter. Autumn jumped back—to be closer to Peter, further from Micky and his wrath, and in response to that uncharacteristic anger.

After Micky shut the door to his room, Peter stepped closer to Autumn. He slipped his arms around her waist. "I think we might've made a mistake."

No Time Part Seven

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