The Key To Micah's Heart (Hell Yeah!) Read Free

“I don’t feel too good.” Colton said, wiping his mouth of his sleeve. “You know, Micah, I might take my medicine if I had it. It’s in my locker at the shelter. Would you go get my pills for me?”
    Micah didn’t know if he was serious or if Colton was just saying this to make him feel better. Either way, Micah would leave nothing to chance. “Yea, sure. Of course. I’ll go do that right now.” Micah rose, having to speak a little louder. Rush hour was causing the drum of the constant wheels overhead to an almost unbearable level.
    “Hey, and bring me my notebooks. I have one here, but I need to make some notes on my other stories. You know, they’re the most important possession I have. I’ve poured my whole life into those notebooks.”
    “I’ll look, Colton. I’ll bring whatever I find.” Micah promised.
    “And if you ever smoke anymore of that brisket of yours, I’d love to have some.”
    Micah laughed. “I was actually planning to cook one tomorrow.” He wasn’t, but plans could change. “Do you want coleslaw and beans?”
    “Oh, yea, that would be great. Maybe you could make enough for all my friends at the shelter to have some too?”
    “You got it, buddy,” Micah assured him. “Don’t worry, I’ll get your meds and if your prescription needs refilling, I’ll do that too. You just rest right here and I’ll be back.”
    “Okay.”
    Micah looked back at Colton, he’d shut his eyes.
    Good. Maybe he could rest.
    Micah drove the few blocks south to cross the river and headed down Congress to Angel House, parking crooked and rushing in. The director had seen him before so his request didn’t require much of an explanation. But when Micah got back to the lockers, all of Colton’s stuff was gone including his notebooks. “What the hell?” Micah slammed the door.
    The director shrugged. “I guess he didn’t have a lock.”
    “Fuck!” With a heavy heart, he left to be the bearer of bad news. Most probably, Colton would have to go back into the clinic to get another prescription. Micah vowed to make sure he did just that. But what about his writing? There was no way he could help him replace that. Along the way, he stopped at a hardware store and bought a few locks, intending to give one to Colton.
    When Micah arrived at the top of the bridge. His friend was slumped over to one side. “Colton!” Micah went to his knees and began to shake his friend, but when he drew his hand away it was covered with blood. “Call 911!” He screamed for help, then began administering CPR. By the time an ambulance arrived, Micah knew it was too late. Someone had knifed him, probably for the money Micah had just given him. “Fuck!”
    His friend was dead.
    Micah called for help, then stood by as the EMT’s came to check Colton out and declare him dead. Once they had his body on a stretcher, one of the medics lifted up a plastic bag and inside it was a blue notebook. “Hey, are you this guy’s family?”
    “Yes.” Micah stepped forward. “I’m his brother.” He accepted the bag and watched them carry the lifeless body of his friend away, fully intending to take care of him, contact his folks, and see to his burial. Tossing the lock up and down in his hand, he wondered at all of the wonderful tales Colton would’ve told the world if only he had the time. As he walked away, Micah vowed to never forget. He’d keep the memory of Colton locked away–safe. He was the truest friend Micah ever had. 

CHAPTER TWO
     
    Micah – present day
     
     
    “I beg your pardon?” The woman standing behind the cash register with the name Helen embroidered on the right shoulder of her blue smock stared at him with mouth agape. Her round apple cheeks blushed beet-red.
    Micah Albert Wolfe gave her his signature big, wide wolf grin. “I said, nice buns, huh?”
    Fanning herself with one of the daily sales papers, the woman giggled nervously. Micah knew full-well that the woman had been checking him out while he