And the Stars up Above - Chapter 15

March 20th, 1987
Billie Joe

Mike was having dinner with the Armstrong’s, again. Billie Joe felt like Mike pretty much lived with them. Not that he minded; he loved having Mike around. Steve wasn’t there tonight either, which made dinner much more pleasant.
“How are things at home, Mike?” Billie’s mum asked. She was always concerned about Mike, seeing as his mum was gone and Mike and his stepfather hadn’t gotten along in the beginning. Somehow she just couldn’t see that they were friends now.
“Well, things are good, I guess.” Mike said, hesitating. It seemed like he didn’t know whether or not to tell Ollie something.
“I’m moving out.” He finally said. Ollie dropped her fork as well as her jaw.
“What? Why? Where are you going to live? Aren’t you a bit too young for that, dear?” Ollie looked very worried.
“Don’t worry about it Mrs. Armstrong, I’ll be fine. I’ve found a van for a reasonable price that I can live in. I just… need to get the money.” Mike said, and laughed, as if not having the money to buy it was funny.
“What? You have?” Billie Joe said, staring at Mike. “You haven’t told me you’d found something!”
“Well, I was going to, right after dinner.” Mike said. He didn’t seem to like the way this dinner had turned out.
“But honey, you can’t live in a van.” Ollie said and shook her head. “Besides, what are you going to live of?”
“I’ll just have to get a job, I guess.” Mike said and shrugged.
“But why do you want to move?” She asked, still shaking her head.
“I don’t want to be a burden to Steve anymore. It’s not fair that he has to pay for me when I’m not his kid, and besides, I can take care of myself now.” Mike said.
“Of course you can, dear. But you can’t live in a van.” Yet again she shook her head. “And I’m sure Steve doesn’t mind having you around, I thought the two of you got along now?” Mike started to fiddle with his napkin.
“Yeah, we do. But I just don’t want to… bother him.” Mike said and shrugged again. Ollie sighed.
“Well, I guess you’ve made up your mind. You will definitely need a job if you’re going to live alone. You know what; I think my boss mentioned that we need a dishwasher at Rod’s Hickory Pit. I can put in a word for you, if you want to.” She said, now determined to help Mike. Billie Joe’s mum was always like that; if she found someone who needed help, she helped them.
“Really? Wow, thanks Mrs. Armstrong! That’d be great!” Mike said with a huge smile. Billie Joe smiled as well; he was glad things were turning out well for Mike.
“Oh please Mike, call me Ollie! Being called Mrs. Armstrong makes me feel so old. How many times do I have to tell you?” she said. Both Billie and Mike giggled quietly. Luckily, Ollie didn’t notice.
“But I still don’t think you should live in a van…” Ollie said, thinking of a way to solve this.
“Now I know!” she said and clasped her hand together in her typical Ollie-way. “David is moving out soon, in half a year or so, aren’t you David?” Ollie said and turned to David who nodded. “Billie Joe is going to get his room then, which means that the basement where Billie Joe’s room is now will be available! You can live there then!” Mike’s eyes widened and Billie Joe’s heart skipped a beat. That would be perfect!
“Are- are you sure, Ollie? I mean, me living in your house?” Mike said, kind of looking like he was expecting to wake up any moment. Ollie nodded and clasped her hand together once again.
“Of course I am! You’re here all the time anyway.” She said with a smile and started to clear the table. Mike quickly rose and started to help her. Billie Joe rolled his eyes and stayed put.
“Besides, I think Billie Joe will be happy to have you here the few extra hours that’ll give.”
“Thank you, Ollie, thank you so much! I’ll pay you of course! And if I don’t get the job at Rod’s I’ll just find something else, don’t worry about it.”
“Oh you don’t worry about it Mike.” She said and patted his shoulder. “You’re a good boy…” she said and wiped away a tear in the corner of her eye. Billie Joe rolled his eyes; typical his mum to get all sentimental. Luckily Mike knew her well already; otherwise Billie Joe would have been really embarrassed right now. He rose from his seat.
“Come on man, let’s go and continue practicing.” He said and started walking out of the kitchen. But when he got to the doorway he stopped and turned around and walked up to his mother.
“And mum, thank you for letting Mike stay here. You’re the best.” He said and kissed her cheek.