Free Blue Saturn by Libby Jay

or a spoilt brat. But as a real person.
    And for the first time, I feel a hint of sympathy for him.

 
    8.
     
    Mikey’s surgery went well. He’s recovering well. I’ve spent the last three nights with him, sleeping on a small cot bed in the corner of his private room. My back is aching and my neck is stiff and I feel like I haven’t slept more than a few hours over the last few days but none of that matters. Mikey is well and is being discharged today.
    I texted Mike yesterday afternoon to let him know that we are coming home today. He had three radio shows, a television appearance and a concert last night so needless to say he visited only very briefly yesterday morning.
    I’m instructed to make sure Mikey doesn’t over exert himself over the next few days. The wounds have waterproof dressings over them, and they’re to stay on until we see a surgeon again in ten days. We’ve been referred to the Children’s hospital in Brisbane, because we’ll be in Queensland in ten days. In the meantime, he can have Panadol for the pain as required.
    It’s just after eleven o’clock in the morning when I get back to the hotel. I carry Mikey on one hip and pull our bag behind us. Wayne did offer to meet me at the hospital for escort me home, but I know today is his day off and I didn’t want to bother him. I said I’d be fine on my own.
    “Will Mike be here?” Mikey asks as we travel up to the penthouse apartment in the lift.
    “He might be, but he might be asleep, so we have to be quiet, okay?”
    “Okay.” He lowers his head to my shoulder and presses his forehead against my neck.
    When I open the door to the apartment, the sound of music hits me. It’s not too loud, but it’s present. I can also hear laughter, giggling to be precise.
    Apprehensively, I walk through to the living area.
    The room is full of people and bottles of liquor and smoke and...sex. Those people are having sex where I ate dinner four nights ago. I quickly hide Mikey’s face, pressing his head against my shoulder and covering his face as best I can with my hand.
    “What is this?” I say. My eyes continue to scan the room, this time seeing things wishing I could un-see.
    Steve is sitting on the couch, two topless women either side of him. They’re kissing each other while Steve watches. Steve moves his hand and starts to unzip his pants.
    Mike is on the floor, kneeling over a naked woman, inhaling white powder from between her breasts. He is dressed at least, he’s not wearing a shirt, but he has pants on.
    He rubs his nose and looks up at me. “Oh great, the babysitter is back.” He reaches for a bottle of clear liquid, which I’m assuming isn’t water and takes a mouthful before pouring it over the naked girl lying between his legs. She laughs and pulls Mike down to her breasts again.
    “Lynd’s.” I turn around to see Gavin standing behind me. He’s also shirtless and he has a massive dragon tattoo on his torso. It’s horrible, almost demonic looking. “I didn’t know you were coming back today.”
    “I texted Mike yesterday to let him know.” The couple having sex on the table start making noises I really wish I couldn’t hear. “Are you aware its eleven o’clock in the morning?”
    Gavin scratches his head before shaking it. A girl appears behind him, slaps his bum and saunters past. She’s only wearing underwear.
    I’m sure I’m about to be sick. This entire scene is sickening.
    “I’m really sorry Lyndsay,” Gavin says.
    “I need to get Mikey into bed.”
    Gavin grabs my arm as I try to walk past him. “We were just in his bed,” he says. “You can’t go into your room either.”
    “Jeez Gavin. What am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go? Can I go to your room?”
    Gavin shakes his head. “Paul’s using it.”
    I feel tears prick at my eyes as the noise coming from the table increases and Mikey starts to cry. “What am I supposed to do?”
    “Will someone shut that bitch up?” Mike calls from