The Rockin' Rodents

Cheesy Stink Intolerance, Drugs, and Girls.

Ger headed home after the break-up. His mum was in the kitchen, smoking a cigarette as if he had never left.

"Hi love, how was your concert?" she asked him.

"A disaster. The band's broken up," replied Ger sadly.

"It'll be alright son, you'll see. Your dad's left and reformed groups so many times I've lost track," Ger noted that his mother still talked about him as though he were around.

"Talking about your father. He rang when you were away."

"What does he have to say for himself?" Ger asked.

"He said... He said he wants to come back and that he's on the wagon, never been drier."

"He's been saying that for years and every time he lets us down," Ger answered.

"Yeah, I know, but I want you to think about it. I think he's sincere this time. I told him I'd talk to you about it, could ya at least sleep on it and think it over?"

Ger was tired and didn't feel like arguing with his mom over this.

"Yeah OK, I'm tired I'm going straight to bed."

"Alright, Night love."

"Night Ma."

Ger fell into a restless sleep, his dreams haunted by mice, purple pills, and booing audiences.

When he awoke the next day, he swore he could feel a presence in his room. He glanced up at his bookshelf, just above the desk where he studied and did homework, and noticed that in his collection of bobblehead figures, one was missing. Mickey Mouse!

"OK; I know you're in here," he whispered, afraid his mother would hear him talking to himself.

Jerry Lee mouse emerged from behind a copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, like some magical creature leaping off the pages.

"Kid, you've got to get your band back together and play that talent contest!" said the mouse.

"Easier said than done," Ger said.

"Let me continue the story and you'll see how," the mouse replied mysteriously.

OK but make it quick, I've got to be at the music shop soon," said Ger who worked at the shop every day during the Summer since his dad had left.

"Where was I? Ah, yes the cheesemaker."

The cheesemaker seemed surprisingly well... not angry, to Jerry's relief.

"Yes, you poor boy, you shouldn't have run off like that," he shook his head, not in disapproval, but in pity at what had happened.

"Stinky cheese intolerance or S.C.I. is a more and more common condition. It's quite natural, although it will make your cheese-making career impossible, I'm afraid." The cheesemaker continued.

"I'm sorry about your clothes," Jerry said.

"That's quite alright my boy, it wasn't the first time and it won't be the last. I always carry a change of trousers for just such an occasion," the cheesemaker said with a smile.

Gerry's father thanked the cheesemaker and took Jerry back to the

car in silence.

"Sorry dad, you know, about the classes," Jerry said trying to break the silence.

His dad snapped around to face him "Where did you go? I was worried sick," he yelled out.

The truth might always come out in the end, but Jerry was determined to keep running with his lie. Rock was everything to him and he felt his dad just didn't understand.