Midge the Neko - Boyxboy -complete- - Chapter 111: Chapter 111

It was a bit surreal to walk into the apartment and Midge stopped just inside the door.
"You okay?" Scott asked.
"Yes, it is just, it has been awhile since I was here. I left to go to the studio weeks ago and now I am home again."
Scott wrapped him into a hug and ran his fingertips through his hair. "You've been through a lot this month. I'm so sorry. You're safe now though." He stepped back and brought the bags in while he kept half an eye on his boy.
"I should put my things away" he said, taking his smaller bag in and laying it on his bed. He pulled out his Marley and put her against his pillow before taking out his stash of gift cards. "Scott?"
"Yeah" He peeked his head in Midge's doorway.
"Can we give my Starbucks card to Ashley so she can be dry and have hypermilk and breakfast?"
"Ashley from the park? Yeah, of course. You're such a sweetheart."
"We can go soon please?"
"Yeah, before dinner if you want to. I just need to make some phone calls and touch in with the band, figure out the next shows and then we'll go."
"I will take a cat nap if that is okay. Thank you Scott."
"No problem. Sleep tight."
*** *** ***
Midge placed his hand gently on Scott's arm as he took off his seat belt. "I would like to go alone, if it is okay?"
"I can come with you."
"I know, but I must not be afraid. You will be able to see me if I need help."
"You're right Midge, you're right. I don't want you to be afraid. Go ahead love."
Midge stepped out of the car and quickly hopped the low fence so he could walk directly to Ashley's tree. "Hello Ashley."
"Midge? Hey buddy" she croaked, her voice ragged.
"You are not well?"
"Sick, but the food smells great. Hand it over parade boy."
He sat down next to her and opened the bag, peeling back the wrapper and handing her the sandwich. "Can I do anything for you? I can ask Scott to take me for things if you need it. Or we can take you to a doctor?"
"Just need to eat and rest. I'll live." She gulped down her drink and ate quickly, barely chewing her food.
"I brought you some cards so you can go get a treat and be dry if it rains."
Ashley took the gift cards and grinned, then shoved them into the inside pocket of her jacket. "Thanks. Heard you ran away."
"I was taken, I did not run. But Scott has found me and everything is okay. How did you know?"
"Some girl showed me one of the flyers he posted." She leaned her head back against the tree, her eyes closing. "Looking for you."
"Yes Scott was looking for me. I will come back in the morning and check on you and bring you some things to help you. I am sorry you are sick. Sleep well Miss Ashley." He gathered up the trash and walked away slowly, wishing there was more he could do. When he sat back in the car he continued to stare towards her.
"Everything okay?" Scott asked.
"She is sick. She knew I was lost, said you came looking for me."
"I didn't talk to her, didn't see her when I came by to put the flyers up."
"Perhaps I misunderstood. She is not well. Can we come back tomorrow and check on her?"
"Absolutely."
*** *** ***
The next morning Midge convinced Scott to stop by the pharmacy for a few things to add to his care package. He had put together some crackers, granola bars, a few bottles of water and his stuffed Marley into a bag and added the Advil and cough drops. At Starbucks he bought an extra cup of hot tea and a sandwich and carried it all towards Ashley's tree where she was curled up, still sleeping. "Miss Ashley?"
"Midge? You again?" she asked, struggling to sit up.
"I brought some things to help you. Here is some tea." He handed her the still-warm cup and placed the bag of things beside her after removing Marley. I thought you might not want to be alone. I will come back for her tomorrow if that is okay?"
She dug through the bag and popped a few Advil, smiling as the tea washed them down. "This tastes SO good. Thanks kid. Yeah, you can come back. Hey, what should I tell the girl if I see her again?"
"What girl?"
"The one that was looking for you. Your sister."
Midge's eyes went wide and his lips pursed. "You have seen my sister?"
"Yeah, she showed me the flier. Didn't I tell you? Damn fever, I don't know. She walks by almost every night, sometimes she says hi and asks if I've seen you. I didn't tell her shit though."
Midge was confused and knew Ashley must be confused but did not want to be rude. "I think you are mistaken."
"Hell if I know. All I know is she looks like you and kinda talks like you. There's a resemblance is all I'm saying. I'll tell her I don't know anything, no sweat."
"She walks here at night?"
"Yeah, in the evening. Usually around 6:30 or so."
"If I bring dinner will you show her to me?"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't blame you for wondering who's got their eyes out for ya."
Midge practically jumped up and ran back to the car. "Scott! Scott!"
"What? You okay?" he asked, alarmed.
"She says she has talked to my sister" he said, grabbing at Scott's arm and bouncing in the seat.
"What?" Scott was as confused as Midge. "Misty?"
"It can not be. What if it is Marley?"
"What if she's crazy? Honey, don't get your hopes up. She's a homeless girl who doesn't even know you're a Neko, right? How would she know Marley?"
"I do not know. She said a girl showed her the flier you made and was looking for me."
"Why wouldn't she just call? My number was on it. If it's Marley wouldn't she call you?"
Midge's face fell. "Yes, if... I would call her if I had her number."
"And what, Marley was walking around L.A.? Talking to homeless girls in parks? Isn't she owned? I mean, most of them don't..." he said, hating that he had to be the voice of reason when Midge was so excited.
"I understand what you are saying. You are right, it is not possible." He finally fastened his seat belt and forced a smile. "It was a nice thought."
"I'm sorry Midge. We will look for her, I promise, but I don't know how to find her. We'll do whatever we can. I'm sorry to dash your hopes." He took Midge's smaller hand in his then brought it to his lips and kissed the top of it.
"I promised her dinner. I should bring it, even though we will not see Marley."
"We can do that. We'll stop by after rehearsal. But no more McDonald's, how about Chipotle?"
"That sounds very good. Thank you!
*** *** ***
"Six o'clock, as promised" Scott said, parking.
"Will you come with me?" Midge asked.
"Sure." He grabbed the extra bag for Ashley and followed Midge the long way around, glad he didn't have to jump the fence.
"Hey Midge, and uh, master."
"No, he does not like it, please call him Scott." Midge sat down next to Ashley and handed her the bag. "Are you feeling better?"
"I am. Thanks for everything. She doesn't always come, so I can't make any promises."
"It is fine. It is not her, but I would like to see her if she passes by." Midge answered.
"I'll keep my eyes open" she said, digging into her bowl and eating heartily.
"Is there anything we could do to help you? I mean, why are you on the streets?" Scott asked.
"I'm in a park, if you haven't noticed, and I'm okay being here. I like being on my own and it beats where I was. Eventually I'll have to figure something out, I guess, but I sure as hell ain't going home. Hey, there she is!" She pointed with her fork at the small woman walking briskly around the corner.
Midge stood and watched as she got a bit closer. He put his hand on Scott's shoulder for support and gasped when he could finally clearly see her face. "Marley?" he whispered. He dashed off, running towards the fence and clearing it easily. "Marley?" he asked, stopping about 10 feet away from the girl.
"Midgey?!!??" She launched herself forward, falling into his arms. "You are okay!?? You are alive." She hugged him tightly until she saw Scott and pushed away. "I am so sorry if you are in trouble." she whispered, ashen, and stepped back.
Scott walked up and put his hand on Midge's shoulder. "It's really her?"
"Yes. It is my Marley!" he exclaimed, bouncing on his feet. "It is okay Marley, he is very kind. I am not in trouble." He turned to Scott, momentarily afraid he had overstepped but was reassured by his grin.
"I'm Scott. It's so nice to meet you" he said, extending his hand.
Marley stretched hers out timidly, then shook his hand. "It is nice to meet you Sir."
Midge jumped towards her again, wrapping Marley back into his arms and they stood, their happy tears mingling as they rolled down their cheeks.
"I told you it was her" Ashley said, extending out the stuffed Marley towards Midge. "Don't want you to forget this in all the excitement."
"No, it is okay. You may have it. I do not need it any more."