Somewhere Sails
By Cheshyre

Title: Somewhere Sails (1/1)
Fandom: LAS
Pairing: None
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own it. I don't make money off of it. I just use it to make other people happy. Suing me will only get you action figures.
Notes: Written for the Souvenirs Universe. Lyrics are from "Yellow Butterfly" by Michael Nesmith.
Warnings: Do not iron clothes while wearing them.


Carmine had waited, but Squiggy never called him back. Laverne had called and he told her where Squiggy was. Lenny had called a few days later, letting him know where they'd be in Mississippi just in case Squiggy did call Carmine again.

But, he hadn't yet. And, Carmine really didn't expect him to. From what had been said in their brief phone conversation, Carmine had managed to grasp the concept that Squiggy was very hurt. A chat on the phone probably wouldn't help him much.

The day after his latest show ended it's run Carmine found himself on a plain to the Midwest.

The rain falls through
Chicago skies
People stare
And wonder why
And, somewhere sails
A yellow butterfly

Carmine watched the rain splatter the windows of the Chicago airport he was currently sitting in. The weather had delayed his connecting flight to Milwaukee and he was forced to sit and think while he waited.

He'd never known Squiggy to be without Lenny. They were practically connected at the hip. Obviously, Lenny wasn't doing so badly. He had Laverne. But, Squiggy didn't have anyone like that. He'd left Francine back in California. And, Lenny was gone.

Carmine honestly began to question whether or not Squiggy could really survive without Lenny. Or, if he'd want to.

A sudden bustle of people caught his attention and he realized people were gathering their things. Carmine glanced back out the window and noticed the rain was beginning to let up. As his flight was announced, Carmine gathered his bag and magazine and went to board his plane.

A jaguar circles
In the night
The jungle glistens
By moonlight
And somewhere sails
A yellow butterfly

The minute Carmine stepped off his plane in Milwaukee, he made a beeline for the nearest pay phone and called information. The operator cheerfully told him Squiggy's phone number and offered to connect him, which he accepted.

Four rings later, Squiggy answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Squiggles."

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"Carmine? How'd you get my number?" Squiggy asked suspiciously.

"Information. It's a handy thing, really," Carmine told him.

"Oh."

"So, anyway, Squiggy, how are ya?" Carmine continued. "Things going okay?"

"Yeah, sure," Squiggy answered dully.

"Well, I was just callin' 'cause I'm gonna be in town for a few days and thought maybe you wouldn't mind me dropping by for a visit. Whaddya say?" Carmine asked smoothly.

"Well...umm...I'm kinda busy and stuff..." Squiggy stammered. "Lots of stuff to do...and work...and the ladies...Ya know they can't keep their hands offa me."

Carmine snorted into the phone.

"Yeah, right. Well, I'm sure you can squeeze me into your busy schedule. What's your address?"

Squiggy somewhat reluctantly gave Carmine his address and they hung up shortly after, leaving Carmine to the task of finding a cab.

All in all in all in all
Like an island waterfall
Days and nights revolve around
Her flying silent sound

Carmine wasn't sure what he was expecting when he showed up on Squiggy's doorstep. Perhaps a barely furnished, neglected apartment inhabited by a barely together, disheveled Squiggy.

He was shocked when Squiggy opened the door.

The apartment was surprisingly neat. It wasn't extravagantly furnished, but it did have a couch and a couple of chairs in fairly good condition. It wasn't sparkling, but it was pretty clean. There wasn't even a dirty dish in the kitchen sink or towels on the floor of the bathroom.

And, Squiggy looked like Squiggy. He was never much for fashion, but his clothes not only matched, but were also clean and in reasonably good shape. He was clean-shaven and his hair had the same clean, slicked up look it'd always had. The only change in his appearance that Carmine noticed was the Squiggy looked tired. Tired and sad.

"This is a pretty nice place," Carmine commented after the brief tour Squiggy had given him.

Squiggy shrugged.

"It's alright."

He sat down heavily on the couch and Carmine joined him.

"Work going good?" he prodded.

Again, Squiggy shrugged.

"I guess."

Carmine sighed.

"Listen, Squig," he began, "not long after you called me, I got a phone call from Laverne."

Squiggy visibly tenses at the sound of her name.

"She and Lenny have been real worried about ya, ya know? Been tryin' to find ya ever since ya left California," Carmine told him.

Squiggy glared at the floor.

"They wouldn't have to try and find me if they'd never left in the first place," he said bitterly.

"Squiggy, Lenny's real sorry for the way he left, you know that," Carmine tried.

"No, I don't," Squiggy said, still staring hard at the floor.

Carmine ignored him.

"They want you to call them. Lenny wants you to call him," he went on.

"Well, I can't do that," Squiggy snapped, finally looking at Carmine. "I don't know where he is, which I imagine is exactly they way he wants it."

Carmine dug in his pants pocket and produced a piece of paper.

"They're in Mississippi," he said, holding the paper out to Squiggy. "That's the number of where they're staying."

Squiggy snatched the paper away from Carmine and looked at it a moment.

"I do not need their false sympathies or any attempt thereof," he declared, balling up the piece of paper and throwing it across the room.

Carmine sighed once again and ran his hands over his face and through his hair.

"Well, I can't make you call them," he said. "So, let's just make the best of it. C'mon, let's go to dinner. My treat."

Squiggy suddenly brightened at the thought of a free meal and followed Carmine to the door.

"How about the Pizza Bowl?" Carmine asked.

Squiggy snorted.

"Not if ya wanna eat."

"What?"

Squiggy just shook his head and shoved Carmine out the door.

Mother wakes
And father turns
A candle flame surreally burns
And somewhere sails
A yellow butterfly

Though Carmine had wanted to stay at a hotel, Squiggy insisted that he stay at his apartment. He even gave Carmine his bed and took the couch himself.

But, Squiggy wasn't sleeping. He was staring at the balled up piece of paper on the floor.

Sneaking a quick glance towards the bedroom, Squiggy quietly stood up and edged his way over to it and picked it up.

Squiggy opened it up and read it over several times as he walked back to the couch at sat down. Blindly, he reached out and groped for the phone's receiver. Picking it up, Squiggy began to dial.


FIN


To "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?"
To "Baby, It's You"










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