Mike's Journal

Chapter 24

December 3, 1965

Dear Journal,
I had a day off yesterday and went to the Troubadour to play on their open mic night. I played that song I had been working on, Different Drum. I think people liked it. I got a pretty good round of applas. But that could be because they were drunk. I don't know. Anyway, I sang Walkin' after midnight and Jambalaya as well and when I got done and got off stage I think I had more money then I had ever gotten passing the hat. I got gas for my truck!

Micky and I went and got the mattress from his friend and we hauled it back to Mickys place. We struggled a bit to get it in through the doorways and around the corners, but we got it in. And I now have a bed. Thank God. I'm not going to tell Micky this, but my back was starting to hurt sleeping on his couch. The mattress smells a bit funky, but im not complaining.

Micky's talking about getting a Christmas tree already. I asked him if he thought it was to early for that. He told me that it was never to early to decorate for Christmas. I pointed out that it was December 3rd. He looked at me and asked what that had to do with anything. I suggested we wait until next weekend to put up a tree. Surprisingly he agreed. Said that that would give us more time to make orderments and whatnot. Oh boy. What did I get myself into?

Mike.

December 7, 1965

Dear Journal,
Not much is going on. Micky is at class and I just got off the phone with Ma. She said that Gabby is showing and in February I'll have a niece. Imagine that. I'll be a uncle.

This is really going to suck that I can't go home for Christmas. Not that we did a lot for Christmas really, just stayed at home Christmas Eve and went to church then Christmas day we went over to Aunt Kates house. Tomorrow Mama is going to start her Christmas baking. Starting with her cherry balls. Then she'll do her spritz and her buckeye candies. She might do her ginger nuts, if she doesn't want to make cut out cookies. I might try to do some cookie baking. Maybe do some sugar cookies or something.

I wonder what I should get Micky for Christmas? I could probably ask him, but he'd tell me he doesn't need anything. Socks are always a nice gift. Or I could make him something...I need to think on that.

Anyway, I'd better go. I need to get ready for work.

Mike.