You Just May Be the One
"Come on guys, we have to be out of here in 5 minutes!" shouted Mike. It
was
what seemed to be an average Friday night. The boys had to play a gig at
the
Vincent Van Go-Go and Micky, Peter, and Davy were running late. Mike
stood at
the foot of the stairs impatiently waiting.
"We go through this every week, why do I even bother?" mumbled
Mike.
"What's that Mike?" Davy asked as he hurried down the stairs.
"Oh nothingà. Say Davy are the others coming?"
"Yeah Mike, Peter is coming now," replied Davy. Peter rushed down
the stairs
and tripped over his own two feet. He landed on Davy. The two broke out
into a
slight chuckle. Mike wasn't the least bit amused.
"Micky will you come on!" We are gonna be late!" yelled Mike.
"I hear ya! I'm coming," replied Micky sliding down the banister.
"Took you long enough!" snapped Mike.
" Hey this was the first time I was slow. I'm usually done after
you, man,"
said Micky innocently.
" Enough fighting! Lets get going," said Davy
The four grabbed their instruments and scurried off to the Monkee
Mobile.
The three hopped into the back, leaving Mike to drive. It was almost
tradition
to let Mike drive. He had driven the car the most since the boys built
the
car. It was one of Mike's most prized possessions next to his guitar and
his
lucky wool hat.
After a short ten-minute car ride, they arrived at the club. "The
crowd
seemed larger then usual tonight," thought Mike to himself. He wasn't
sure or
not.
Hey Davy, is it me or is the crown bigger tonight?" asked Mike.
Davy was too busy making his rounds flirting with every girl he
saw. He paid
no attention to Mike's question.
" Figures," Mike thought," No one ever listens to me anymore."
In they we went. As they were setting up for the show, Micky turned
to Peter
and said," Hey Pete, look at all the pretty girls here tonight. I bet
Davy
will be walking out of here with the cute little brunette in the corner
over
there."
"Naw, Mick she's eyeing you. Watch it, your girl might get mad,"
Peter
chuckled.
Meanwhile on the other side of the stage, Mike was sitting by
himself tuning
his guitar when Davy walked over. "Hey Robert M. are you ok? You seem
sad,
questioned Davy.
" I'm kinda down. This was the night that I asked her to marry me
two years
ago. I just miss her, Davy," Mike said softly.
" Yeah Mike I know. But she wouldn't want you sitting here all sad
and
depressed so get off your bum and lets go play!" smiled Davy.
Mike got up and got ready to play.
" Good evening ladies and gentlemen! For all of you who don't know
us, we're
the Monkees and we like to start off tonight with "Last Train to
Clarksville"," Micky announced to the crowd. Then Mike played the first
few
chords and the crowd went wild.
After the song ended, Mike noticed a girl in a red shirt staring at
him. Mike
was perplexed. "All the girls dig Davy not me," Mike wondered. Mike
thought it
had to be a mistake, there was just no way.
"àMike did you hear me?" said Micky.
"Yeah Mike we're gonna play your song now, man," said Davy.
Huh? Oh yeah sorry," mumbled Mike.
" And now our own Mike Nesmith is gonna sing a song for you called
You Just
May Be The One!" said Micky.
After they played Mike's song, they performed a few more. Then came
intermission. Mike needed a break badly. His mind was over-ran with so
many
thoughts of the girl in the red shirt and of what happened two years
ago. Mike
wondered who that girl was and why she was looking at him. Mike sat down
at
the edge of the stage and put his face in his hands.
Micky walked over to him and sat down next to him. Micky was worried
about his
best friend. He hasn't seen Mike this sad since two years ago. "Hiya
Mike!
What's up? Are you feeling ok? You seem in a daze. Now Mike I told you
those
pills Peter has are bad," chuckled Micky.
"Mick, can I ask you something?" asked Mike.
This was weird. It wasn't like Mike to ask questions. "Sure go ahead,"
Micky
said.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" asked Mike shyly.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well you see there is this girl that is in the back with a red shirt,
and I
think I'm falling in love with heràyeah I know its stupid I don't even
know
her but still," He said feeling somewhat ashamed.
Micky's jaw almost hit the floor. Mike never talked about girls or his
feelings to anyone. "Well Mike its your heart not mine. All I can tell
you is
follow your heart," said Micky still in awe of what he just heard.
"Mick, please don't repeat this to anyone," pleaded Mike.
" Its safe with me," smiled Micky.
Mike was in a whirlwind of confusion. He was afraid to admit his true
feelings. If he did love her, what would Phyllis say? Mike knew she
couldn't
say anything cause she died two years ago, but he still loved her. He
knew he
had to move on. He had that feeling in his stomach again. He felt like
he was
going to cry.
"Mike, we got 5 minutes before our second set," said Peter.
"Ok man, I'll be right back. I need some air. I don't feel well," moaned
Mike.
"Ok, pal we'll come out and get you when its time," Peter said
cheerfully.
Mike walked out into the alleyway. He was alone. " Why can't things go
my way?
We were gonna get married and be happy. Then she had to go and die. Now
I'm
alone and miserable. Damnit why?" Mike said out loud to himself.
"Because her time was up and she was needed else where," said a
mysterious
voice.
" What? Huh? Who is that?" Mike asked. Mike looked around and saw the
girl
with the red shirt.
"I'm sorry if I startled you. I saw you were upset earlier and I thought
I'd
see if you were ok," said the girl.
"Thanks. I'm fine," Mike smiled.
"My name is Kathleen," said the girl.
"Hello Kathleen, my name is Mike," he smiled.
The two looked in each other's eyes. Mike moved closer to her. He looked
into
her eyes and he felt something he hasn't felt in a long time. Before he
knew
it, he was kissing her.
"Mike where are you? We need you nowàHOLY COW!" shouted Micky, when he
spotted
the two kissing. Mike looked up and saw Micky standing there. Mike
turned 5
different shades of red.
"UmàI'm coming. I'll be right there," Mike said alittle embarrassed.
Micky went back inside chuckling to himself. Mike turned to Kathleen.
"Wait
for me after the show. I need to tell you something," Mike said shyly.
"Oh okay," she whispered.
Mike returned inside only to be greeted by a disgruntled Davy. "Come on
Mike!
What were you doing out there? God you always yell at us for being late
and
telling us to hurry up. Now look whose late!" shouted Davy.
" Davy leave him alone. Come on lets just get on with the show," said
Micky.
"But, Micky"
"No Davy, please."
It was time for the second half of their performance to begin. "We
welcome you
back. And now we are gonna do a song that I wrote. Readyà1à2à3à" said
Peter.
Mike played, trying to forget the incident in the alleyway before. He
knew he
was falling in love with her. He didn't want to. He didn't want his
heart to
break again if she rejected him.
The song ended, and Mike was in a daze. " Hey Mike? Are you ok?" asked
Davy.
"Yeah I am," Mike replied wishing everyone would stop asking him that.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Please let's get on with the show."
"Okay."
They continued their set. Then finally they finished; the crowd was very
pleased. Everyone thought it was a great performance even though Mike
was
acting strange.
After the show, Micky, Davy, Peter and their girlfriends were going to
go out
dancing. They asked Mike and he politely declined their invite. He had
something to take care of.
He returned to the alley. He hoped she would forget and not be there. He
was
wrong.
"Hello Mike. You said you had something to tell me." Kathleen said with
a
slight smile.
"Yeah, Kathleen I do," he said then he swallowed hard," I don't know how
to
put this but Ià"
Kathleen held her breath. She knew Mike was going to reject her. She was
ready
for it.
"I think I'm falling in love with you, Kathleen," Mike whispered. She
was in
shock. She never thought he would say that to her. She had only
dreaming. Mike
walked over to her and hugged her, and then he kissed her gently on the
forehead. Then something swept across Mike and he let her go.
"UhàumàKathleen I have to go now. I'll see ya around. Bye!" said Mike.
He
quickly left her behind and headed to the car.
On the car ride home, he kept thinking about what he did. "What have I
done?"
he kept thinking. Thousands of thoughts ran through his mind. He was
very
confused.
Mike returned to the pad. He was alone. He walked up the spiral
staircase and
into his room. He went over to the nightstand and picked up a photograph
of
Phyllis and him. He sat down on the bed and he felt his stomach tighten
and
his eyes beginning to water. He looked at the picture again and he began
to
cry.
" I miss you so much. Why did you leave me? Why?" Mike asked Phyllis
knowing
she couldn't answer back. He put the picture down and he put his face in
his
hands. Mike was glad the guys weren't home to see him like this. He
looked at
the clock and it saw 12:30 am.
"Man I have to get some sleep its late," he mumbled to himself. He got
up and
got ready for bed. Before crawling into bed, he took one last look at
the
picture. He sighed softly.
Slowly he climbed into bed. He lay on his back and stared up at his
ceiling.
He started to think back on his life. He thought about his life in Texas
and
how his mom and him spent many years in their little blue house in
Dallas. He
used to spend countless hours wondering where his dad was and why he
left Mike
and his mom. Then he remembered when he first saw Phyllis in high
school. He
sighed again.
He started to sing to himself softly. He began to drift asleep.
"Hello Michael."
"OH MY GOD PHYLLIS!" Mike shouted. He was overjoyed. His wish came true.
She
was back.
" Mike baby, I know something is troubling you. I have been watching
you. Tell
me what's going on please," she whispered. He knew Phyllis would make it
all
better. She always could.
" Well you see umàI meant this girl. She is a real sweetheart and umàshe
likes
me a whole lot. And I like her. Earlier we kissed and hugged. And I
think I'm
falling in love with her. I know your are gonna hate me, its ok cause I
hate
me too," Mike mumbled.
"Oh Mike I would never hate you. You know that. I am so happy for you.
I'm
glad you have found some one," replied Phyllis.
" But I feel like I'm cheating on you. We were almost married and here I
go
cheating on you," Mike buried his face in his hands.
" Robert Michael Nesmith, No! You are talking nonsense. Listen to me
damnit.
You aren't cheating on me, okay. I don't want you to be lonely for the
rest of
your life. Now Mike I know you are falling in love with that girl. And
it's
ok. She is a good person. Trust me I know. Now Mike I want you to go and
find
her and tell her how you feel. You are in love Mike. I can see it in
your
eyes, and no it's not me. You are in love with her," said Phyllis.
Mike looked at her and began to cry. "I'm so confused, Phyllis. I miss
you so
much and I know I still love you, but there's Kathleen. I'm falling in
love
with her too," Mike sobbed.
" Michael, I want you to go out and find her, please. I hate to see you
so
miserable. And Mike I miss you too. Do you think I wanted to die? When I
found
out I was sick, I promised myself I would beat this. Yeah I didn't beat
it but
I did get to spend the best years of my life with you. Baby I wouldn't
change
that for the world," she whispered into Mike's ear.
He looked up and smiled. "You don't hate me because of Kathleen?" he
asked.
"No sweetheart not the least bit," she smiled. Mike sighed in much
relief. He
knew she would make everything better. She was so wise.
"Michael I have to go now," Phyllis frowned.
"Oh ok. Promise me you'll come back, please," Mike said softly.
"Yes I promise. I love you Mike!" Phyllis began to tear. Mike walked
over to
her and hugged her.
"Phyllis now don't cry," he whispered," Good bye my love." He kissed her
gently on her lips and let her go. She left as quietly as she came in.
Thump! Mike hit the floor. He was quickly awakened from his sound sleep.
The
fall hurt his knee. He needed to get some ice for it. He headed
downstairs to
much surprise the guys weren't home yet. "HehàI know what Davy is doing
now.
Randy Git," Mike chuckled to himself. He got some ice and sat down at
the
kitchen table. Micky came home.
"Hey Mike! I didn't think I'd see you awake," Micky said cheerfully.
" Oh yeah, I had a strange dream and I fell out of bed and I hit my knee
real
hard," Mike said.
"Oh. Well tell me about your strange dream. I like strange things,"
Micky
giggled.
"Well, see Mick, I had a dream about Phyllis and I was tellin' her about
Katà"
Mike got up and limped up to his room and got dressed. He hurried down
the
stairs and grabbed his car keys. "Mick, I'll be back."
"Where are you going?"
"Don't worry. I need to find someone. I'll be back," and he rushed out
the
door to the Monkee Mobile.
As Mike slammed the door, Micky looked up and said," Gee Phyllis ever
since
you left, Mike has been acted weirder and weirder."
Mike hopped into the car and took off. He had to find her. He promised
Phyllis
he would tell her. Where could she be? Mike drove around town for what
seemed
like a lifetime. And he was about to give up all hope when he spotted a
girl
in a red shirt. It was Kathleen! Mike pulled over and hopped up and ran
after
her.
"Kathleen! Wait! Please!" he shouted. She stopped and turned around and
she
saw Mike.
"What do you want?" she asked.
" We need to talk."
"Yeah I think so."
" Kath, I'm sorry that I ran off," he said.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, see I can explain."
"Well Mike I think you better. You just left me there in that alley. I
was so
confused. I thought you were serious about liking me but I guess I was
wrong,"
she snapped at him.
"Listen Kath, earlier I felt love for you and I still do. I lost my
girlfriend
awhile back and I am still morning her. We were going out since 10th
grade and
we planned to get married. I just felt funny about being with another
girl and
all, but I have done some thinking," Mike started to cry.
"Oh, Mike I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you before. Oh god I'm
so
sorry," she said. She walked over to him and hugged him.
" Its ok sweetie. You didn't know," he whispered. There was a long pause
and
Mike remembered what Phyllis said to him. He smiled down at her and he
said,"
Hey KathàI have umàsomething to tell you." He blushed.
She looked up at him.
" I love you, Kathleen," he whispered. A smile appeared on her face. A
sudden
flow of tears streaked down her face.
"Michael."
"Yes?"
"I love you too."
Mike smiled at her. The two stood there not knowing what to do next.
Mike
looked off in the distance and he saw the sun starting to rise. " Wow
it's
almost morning," he said somewhat surprised.
" Yeah it is," she said somewhat dissapointed.
" Come on I better take you home. You must be dead tired." She agreed to
Mike's gesture.
On the car ride to Kathleen's house, Mike felt a sense of fulfillment
and
closure. He proved to himself that he could love again. He was able to
put
Phyllis' death behind him and move on.
They reached Kathleen's house and by then the sun was peeking over the
mountains. It was 6 am. They got out and Mike walked her to the door.
"Well good bye Mike," she frowned.
" Goodbye Kathàhey Kath, would like to go out with me?" Mike asked.
" Oh Mike you know I would." Mike walked over to her and gave her a long
kiss
good bye.
"I'll see you tonight my love," Mike said.
On his way home, he thought about his dream and the events that just
took
place. He was glad that Phyllis came to him in his dream. She gave him
the
inner strenght he needed to find happiness again.
Mike returned home very content with himself. He found himself greeted
by
three angery Monkees.
"Mike, man where the hell were you?" Davy screamed.
" Yeah Mike I was gonna call the cops if you didn't come home," said
Micky.
"Yeah! If I made breakfast and you didn't show upàIàI would have been
mad,"
Peter said.
Mike looked at the guys." I was out doing some soul searching. I found
my
happiness again. I found love," he said softly and headed up to his room
to go
to bed.
~ Kathleen Van Vlack
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