Deviation Actions
Literature Text
With the horn bringing him from out of his violent daze, he realized what he had done to himself. He really didn't seem shocked when he looked at the blood which oozed and mingled with the straw beneath him. Slashes from his teeth were deep and covered his legs also. As he stared at his injuries, he really felt lost and alone at that moment and even Walt wouldn't be able to bring him out of how he was feeling at that moment. Mickey felt that somehow he this punishment. Walt could have thrown him away, or sold him, but he didn't. Now Walt was at his lowest ever, and there was nothing he could do; a mouse? Mickey grinned to himself, but again, no feeling. Nothing.
**********************
"It was a good idea for you to allow Lillian to go with Mrs. Hanberry to do a little shopping," said Roy as he placed some of Walt's salvaged items on the kitchen table.
"I agree. She really needs some time away from this situation for awhile. She's trying to be strong, but I know how much she is hurting inside," replied Walt. "Who wants to live hand to mouth each day, not knowing what tomorrow will bring?"
"Please, Walt, don't worry. You know you can stay here as long as you need to. Don't worry so much about your home now. Even my wife has accepted Mickey, and that almost worried you more than anything else," laughed Roy, giving Walt a pat on the back.
"Hey! That reminds me, let's bring Mickey in, since the ladies are out. Edna went to visit her friend's new baby, so she can't fuss about him being around," said as he proceeded out to the back porch where Mickey was.
"Hey, Mickey!" shouted Walt, "come out!" "Time to play!"
Silence. Walt heard a little rustle in the box. "Mickey?"
Mickey peeked his head and looked at Walt.
"Hullo."
Walt felt a strange feeling about Mickey. He could tell the mouse wasn't angry. That was one thing he learned about Mickey. The mouse was not violent or angry by nature. He just seemed strange just now. Was he sick?
Walt knelt down and almost whispered to Mickey. He placed his hand between to scratch between the mouse's ears and Mickey closed his eyes. Then Walt saw the blood.
Walt had to pull Mickey out of the box. Mickey's body felt limp and heavy. He didn't seem to want to move on his own. Walt looked into the box and saw blood all over the straw. He was very confused to say the least.
"Mickey, what has happened? How did you get bloody like this?" Walt demanded. Mickey didn't answer, but tried to burrow his head in Walt's chest, but he wouldn't allow it. He put his hand under Mickey's chin to make the mouse face him.
"Mickey, why are you bloody? When I left you, you were OK, now this?" Walt was getting angry, but trying to hold his emotions so as not to disturb Mickey. Mickey averted his eyes and answered.
"I don't know." "Don't know."
"How can you not know Mickey?" said Walt. "There are deep bites and cuts all over you arms and legs!" Walt thought for a second. Maybe fleas. He never thought about that. He brushed his fur to inspect it. Even though he really couldn't find any of the annoying pests, he was willing to assume that as the problem.
Walt picked up Mickey. "Come on pal, let's go in. We've got the house to ourselves right now, the ladies are away, so the mouse can play!" joked Walt. Mickey didn't seem to respond and still felt limp, heavy and lifeless.
"There's the mouse of the house!" shouted Roy as he saw Mickey. Mickey's looked into Roy's eyes and tried to force a grin.
Walt placed Mickey in front of a box which was full of assorted items which would keep Mickey's curiosity for a while.
"Roy, Mickey's injured himself while we were away. See his arms and legs? He did that with his teeth. I searched his fur for fleas, but I guess I'll try to treat him for bugs anyway.
"Yeah, you better take care of that right away. Edna doesn't need much of an excuse to keep your pal on that back porch indefinitely," laughed Roy. "I'll go to the shed to see if I still have some flea dip."
Walt went to the sink to wet a clean rag. He then went to Mickey to examine his cuts and dabbed them gently with the rag. Mickey flinched a bit, but tried to stay still as Walt worked. Mickey tried to pretend to be occupied with a rusty gear wheel he found in the box, but was finding it difficult to think.
"Bring him outside, Walt!" yelled Roy. "Let's dip him in and get him all taken care of!"
Walt reassured Mickey that he was going to be careful with his cuts as he slowly dipped him in the medicated water. Mickey flinched more this time, and began to whine about his pain.
"HURTING!" yelled Mickey. "I want to get out!"
"Comon' Mick," said Roy adamantly, "this is for your own good!"
Walt and Roy cleaned Mickey as best they could in spite of the mouse's fighting, but was able to get him cleaned. They didn't see anything which looked like fleas in the water, and was relieved. Roy brought a towel and Walt wrapped Mickey up and took him to the back porch. Mickey was definitely a sight to behold! But eventually his fur dried and he started to look like his old self.
Walt stood up and looked at Mickey thoughtfully. Mickey looked back at Walt and tilted his head in wonderment. Suddenly Mickey saw Walt's face light up.
"Hey! I know how we can make you more acceptable around here! CLOTHES!" shouted Walt.
"Clothes?" said Roy turning around quickly. "What are you talking about?
"For Mickey. Do you think he might wear them?" asked Walt.
"Well, why not? He's a pretty smart creature. Can't hurt," replied Roy.
Walt hurriedly went to the guest bedroom where he and Lillian slept. Sitting beside the dresser was a large doll. The doll looked like a cross between a clown and a little boy. The doll had on a red pair of shorts with two bright yellow buttons on them. The buttons didn't exactly serve a function other than cute decoration. Walt smiled. He took the shorts off the doll and headed back to the porch. Mickey was still wrapped up in the towel and was shivering a bit. Walt held up his prize.
Roy and Mickey looked up at the same time. Roy howled with laughter, and Mickey just looked confused. Walt didn't care, he walked up to Mickey, removing the towel and showed him the shorts.
"These are for you," said Walt.
"For me?" asked Mickey.
"Yes, I think you might like to wear these little shorts. Do you remember seeing the little boys who walk by here on their way to school?" asked Walt.
"OH YES!" exclaimed Mickey. "I like to see them!
"Well…some of them wear little shorts like these." He knew he had Mickey sold.
"I want to wear them too!" Mickey said. Mickey grabbed the shorts, but tried to put them over his head. His ears stuck out where the leg holes were. Walt and Roy laughed at his efforts to get the shorts on.
"Hey! That's not how you do it, pal," said Walt, still talking through the laughter. He took the shorts back and placed a small hole in the back for his tail.
He placed Mickey on his lap and helped Mickey put the shorts on. Mickey slid on his lap to the floor and tried to look at himself. He was so happy!
In the meantime, Lillian and Edna arrived home laden down with packages. Walt heard Lillian's giggles-- something he hadn't heard in quite some time.
"Comon' Mickey," said Walt. "Let the ladies get a look at you!"
Mickey was so proud of how he looked. He was nearly human! He was wearing clothes! He smoothed down his fur one more time before following Walt into the living room.
"Hello ladies," said Walt. "I hope you both had a wonderful time while you were out."
But Lillian and Edna were not really paying attention to what Walt was saying.
"Walt, aren't those shorts from that doll..."
"Yes, doesn't he look nice in them?"
*SIGH* "Yes, Walt, he looks adorable."
"HOT DOG!"
When Mickey ended the conversation with that exclamation, even Edna had to laugh and finally find a space in her heart too for this strange but happy little mouse.
