I speed up a bit as we went north on the highway. Gerard was whining about how sick he felt. And I knew what that meant: he wanted to throw up.
But that’s one thing I wouldn’t take. Vomiting in the car. Eww, I mean do you know how gross and awful that smells. I had to get home as soon as possible.
I passed from the fast lane to the right lane as we were getting closer to our exit.
Inside car there was complete silence. Of course that is if you don’t count Gerard’s repeated whining.
But that silence was broke and it wasn’t by Gerard this time. It was a siren. Shit. It was the police.
This can’t be happening.
Nicole saw how I got nervous and started asking me stuff.
“Mikey what’s wrong?”

“Umm, nothing…I guess I should pull over right?

“Yeah you should”

I did. I pulled over. And soon enough the police officer was asking me for my driver’s permit.
What was I gonna do now?
I looked at the back seat.
Gerard was asleep. Or had he passed out?
I don’t know but either way I wasn’t gonna be able to get out of this one.

“Young man, I’m gonna have to ask you for your driver’s permit again” he said impatiently.

“I….” think Mikey. Think!

“I forgot it at home”

Wow, way to be original.
The officer looked at me. He was kind of tired, maybe he would let me off this once with just a warning.

“I’m gonna have to ask you to get out of the car now”.

Or maybe not.

*****

I can’t believe I got myself in all of this. Well in my defense it was Gerard’s fault. If he hadn’t got sick none of this would had happened.
Any way blaming others wasn’t gonna change none of this. I was in the police station. Nicole had stayed with Gerard in the car. That I’m sure by now must be covered in vomit.

After having a talk with the whole police deparment I was told to wait. The told me either they would have me arrested or take away the car. I was hoping it was the car.
I saw Nicole walked in and sit next to me in the waiting area.
“Let me guess. He threw up didn’t he?”

“Yeah…I had to get away from him” she said laughing as she did so.
I laughed too. It was more then expected from my brother.
That’s when it all clicked into place.
He hadn’t got ‘sick’.
He was drunk.
I should’ve know he was more interested in getting some drinks then in the concert.
“Yeah it happens pretty often. He drinks, gets drunk and then….”

“Throws up” she finished for me. She knew.

“Yup.”

“I know, my brother used to do that all the time. You should be grateful you have a brother that does that. Trust me. It’s better then not having one at all.” she had that sad look on her face and then stared at the floor tiles.

“Mr. Way” I heard my name being called from the front desk.
Please let it be the stupid car.

“I’m afraid we’re gonna have to take your car away from you. You can get it back when you DO have your driver’s permit and pay the fine”

Thank God. I wasn’t going to be arrested.

“Ok, thanks officer”

“Good night” he said and headed to the back of the room where there was another desk with piles of papers.

Now, how to get back home with Nicole and a now obviously drunk Gerard?