A preview of Mikey

MIKEY

I woke up one morning and decided to write about Mikey. I doubt he would agree to allow me to do it if I asked him. He’s much too private of a person to allow half the world read about his life. I think he likes the idea of fame but doesn’t really want it for himself. He’d rather be around it than in it. He was one of the most interesting guys I had ever met, and yet he had barely begun to live his life. Most would agree, he is too young to have a biography written about him. But, I tend to write about things that I can not get out of my head any other way, and Mikey was always on my mind. I needed to get him out. This isn’t a biography, but it’s definitely a story worth telling.

I met him in the spring of 2007. We were briefly introduced by a mutual friend at a night club in New York City. Gone were the days of hazy smoke filled rooms. The “No Smoking” laws took care of that, years ago. Yet the room was dim, and had the typical Club atmosphere. It was early in the evening. The music was still in the background, allowing conversations to fill the air like a mob of angry bees.

At the time, I thought he had barely noticed me. Later, I would find out I was very wrong about that. He had taken just as much interest in me, as I had in him, but he hid it well. Our mutual interest in each other would end in a whirlwind affair that would leave a lasting impression on my soul, though it would not happen for some time after we met.

I could hear him speaking across the room but did not look in his direction. Mikey’s voice was very distinct and deep. He had an obvious Long Island accent. It reminded me of Danny Bonaduce, somewhat gravelly, as if he smoked far too many cigarettes and far too much weed in a short period of time. Personally I found the sound of it sexy as hell.

I heard the confidence as he spoke, yet I could also hear the insecurity underneath. I doubt anyone else heard it as I did. Listening to him was distracting me from my own conversation, and I found myself frequently losing my train of thought. I looked at the guy in front of me, nodded my head and smiled as if I had heard what he said, even though I hadn’t.

Mikey had a charisma that attracted all kinds of people. This was apparent by the entourage of women that followed him when he moved around the room. Occasionally, throughout the evening, our eyes would meet. I don’t know why I returned his gaze with an almost vacant look. Or why neither of us registered any obvious desire, nor attraction. But I was sure of one thing. Playing with Mikey was like playing with fire. He was undoubtedly hot, and I would undoubtedly get burned.