Swift throws an arm over my shoulder and hugs me close to him. "So Mickey, how was your night? You're back kinda late, eh?" I just look at him.
"Get off me Swift. And it's none'a your damn business how my night was."
"Ooooh, that good, huh? Come on, I can keep a secret."
"God Swift, it's 9 in the morning, you're drunk already?"
"Not already, still." I shake my head and shrug away from him. "So come on, tell me. Who was he?"
"That's still none of your business."
"You're no fun. Mo would'a told me."
"Yeah well, Mo's a self proclaimed whore. No surprise there."
"If she's a whore, wha'does that make you, huh?"
"Oh come on Swift, leave poor Mickey alone. You know she likes her secrets."
"Hitch, hey, how goes it?" Swift and Hitch do that stupid guy half hug thing and Hitch looks at me.
"Hey Mick." I stare at him but don't say anything. We used to be involved and I have no idea what I saw in him. He's a class A asshole. I made the mistake of telling him a secret or two and he went and blabbed about it to whoever would listen. It's taken me a long time to get my reputation back up. And thanks to him, I've never trusted anyone since. "You not gonna talk to me, Mick?"
"I haven't seen you in two years Henry, what makes you think I wanna talk to you?" Swift looks at Hitch with a silly grin.
"Henry, eh?" Hitch glares at him and the silly grin leaves his face. Poor Swift.
"Hitch, you're an ass."
"Come now Mickey, that's not what you used to call me, remember?"
"It's pretty pathetic that you think I'm still interested. Like I give a shit about you now."
"That hurts, Mickey, really. And here I was just dropping in to tell you a happy birthday." Swift looks at me.
"It's your birthday? Well shit, I didn't get you a present."
"No worries, Swift. I don't want any. I'll see you later, 'kay?"
"Okay Mick, see yah." I stick my hands in my pockets and continue walking down the street. I should have known it would never work, that it was only a matter of time until he found me here. Not like I was really hiding myself that well. I turn in the direction of the train station, wondering when the next train is leaving. I'm going to miss Detroit, but I think I've overstayed my welcome. I've never been in one place for so long anyway. It's time for a change.
I come to the train station to find a train getting ready to leave. I walk up to someone heaving boxes into the train. "Hey, when's this train leaving?" He looks at me before answering.
"'Bout half an hour. But this train isn't for passengers."
"I know, was just wondering, thanks."
"You planning to run away from home, little lady?"
"Well I guess that would work if I actually had a home." He just looks at me and then crosses his arms across his chest.
"You a runnaway?"
"In a manner of speaking. Why do you care anyhow?"
"You look like you're what, 14, 15?"
"17."
"17. Where are your parents? Doesn't anyone care that you're out in the streets?"
"Nope, no one cares."
"Oh, I'm sure your parents do."
"So I guess caring counts as kicking your kid out, hmm, news to me. Thanks for the info. Have fun." I turn around and walk away in the opposite direction, back to where Swift and Hitch were. Maybe I could wait a couple more days to leave. Save up some money first, stock up on some things. Yep, good plan. I decide to go to Don's, even though he's probably not up yet Polly will be. I don't think she ever sleeps.
I knock on the door and sure enough, Polly opens it. "He's sleeping."
"I know. Thought I'd hang around 'til he wakes up. I need a few names from him."
"Right. Sure. I can get you some." Polly disappears into Don's bedroom and comes out a minute later with 4 slips of paper.
"Don wanted me to give these to you anyway. They came by earlier." I take them from her and look at the names. Two of them seem familiar. Manny and Doug. Oh God, those are the guys from Geoff's. Great. The two others I've never met before.
"Thanks. Tell Donny I said hi."
"Will do. See yah Mick."
"Bye." I exit the building and turn left. I take a smoke and lighter out of my pocket and light it, taking a drag. I haven't had a smoke since last night and it feels good. It makes me think back to earlier this morning, talking to Shay. And that makes me think of the papers in my pocket. I sigh mentally as Swift and Mo come walking down the street toward me. Mo has this insane idea that we're in a contest with eachother. She's always bragging about how many guys she lands and how much money she gets from them. As if I care.
"Hey Mick. Saw you down by the trains. Planning to skip out on us?" I take another drag.
"Now what would give you that impression?" Mo shrugs.
"Maybe 'cause trains go places. And lots of people take trains to go places."
"Nah. Just seeing what was in the boxes."
"Also saw you comin' out of Don's."
"Also heard it's nonna your business. See yah Swift." I walk past them and continue down the street, finishing my smoke and flicking the butt onto the road. Isn't turning 17 supposed to be a good thing? Seems all today's been is crap. Hopefully it gets over with soon and I can get on with it.