22. A Little Appreciation
The next day was Sunday.  Mikey, only slightly hungover, stood in the pouring rain as Tiffany’s team beat their arch-rivals 1-0 in overtime. Despite holding an umbrella just a little smaller than a parachute, his feet were soaked.  He shook from the cold.  Tiffany had done her best to remind parents and players how she had earned the nickname ‘Villain.’  Mikey had to fight the urge to tell the other team’s parents to stop whining.

When they got into his car after the game, Tiffany took off her spikes and shin guards.  The smell reminded him of the time Devin had gone to camp for two weeks.  Nobody had remembered to clean Repulsive’s litter box while he was away.  Tiffany threw the muddy spikes over her shoulder into the back of the SUV.  Her dirty socks followed. Mikey saw mud and grass splatter the cargo space.  A sock stuck to the rear window.

Mikey was about to yell when Tiffany leaned forward and kissed him and her mother.  Tiffany said, “Thank you guys! I love when you both come to the games, but I wouldn’t have been mad if one of you had skipped it because of the weather.”  Mikey smiled, grateful for a little appreciation.

Today I will let someone know I appreciate them.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S