Friday, October 23, Dan and I went to see the Jack O Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo. It was so much fun! I had never been! They had carved over 5000 pumpkins, and some of the complicated designs they did were amazing! They were broken down into sections, The first section was Sesame Street Characters/Muppets/Abby Cadabby, then it was Great Writers, featuring Edgar Allan Poe, The Brothers Grimm, Herman Melville, Shakespeare, Homer, Mark Twain, and Hemmingway, amongst others. There were a bunch of carved animals playing instruments, a RIP section which had Farrah Fawcett, Bea Arthur, Dom de Luise, Patrick Swayze, Billy Mays, and Michael Jackson, amongst others, they also had famous movie characters, King Kong, Spiderman, Kung Fu Panda, kids tv shows such as Scooby-Doo, and Dora The Explorer, and popular icons like Hannah Montana and Twilight. At the end of the trail they had a tribute to the Kennedys, with JFK, RFK, Ted, and Eunice immortalized in pumpkin. It was a very fun and relatively inexpensive thing to do for Halloween, and I hope to make this a yearly tradition!
On Sunday, October 25, Dan and I went to Salem. Salem is an annual tradition for me, I love going there for Halloween! Dan had never been, so it was fun for me to take him! We arrived about 10 am, and we went straight to Salem Vintage Photos, where they dress you up as witches and warlocks and take your picture against various backdrops with different props. I always head there first, before it fills up!
After our pictures we went to Count Orlock's Nightmare Gallery. I wanted to see this last year, but after 1pm it turns into a Haunted House, and I do not like to be scared so I made sure we got there before then! It was a nice museum filled with wonderful wax likenesses of Horror movie characters. It runs the gammit, from early 1900's to current day creatures. I recommend seeing this museum! It is a nice place, and a different experience if you are looking to get away from Witch Hysteria stuff!
We stopped off at Brother's Diner for lunch, Brother's is set up cafeteria-style, but it's good food for a good price with generous portions!
When we were done with Brother's we headed across the street for the Pirate Museum. The Pirate Museum is historical, and it tells us of New England's Pirates. Some I have heard of, some are new to me. You go inside into a room where you meet your guide(Ours was Zack, and he was pretty funny!) as well as the 5 pirates in the room, including the last pirate of New England, who was a female. After this room you head into a room set up like a harbor, with a huge ship on your left, and a tavern(which was a clever way to get pirates drunk so they rattle off stories they normally wouldn't share, and then the one with the best story gets a room given to them for the night, only to wake up to find themselves arrested, as the tavern keeper would get their stories as evidence and call the police! Pretty clever!) on your right. Next to the tavern is a gallows, and a jibbets cage. Directly in front of you is a sign that says County Gaol, with prisoners on the far wall. Here we learned about the pirates Tom Tew, Captain Fly, and the pirate who always escaped whenever he was put in jail.(I don't remember his name!) After this room we "boarded" the Pirate ship, and we learned about different pirate flags, as well as the captain of the ship. The next room was the sleeping chambers, where we learned that was where the pirates divvied up the treasure, the captain getting the most of course. The final room of the ship was a scene showing a pirate getting ripped apart. After the ship we walked down into the dungeon where we saw other pirates(Blackbeard, for one!) and various things like treasure, skeletons, rats and bats, a boar's head, and a living pirate corpse. This led to the exit which was a gift shop. Interesting, and worth checking out!
After the Pirate Museum we headed to the Witches Cottage. I was excited about this, as I had heard good things and never been! "Hellboy" was in the front, wishing people welcome to the Witches Cottage. We walk in to various signs on the wall that told us facts about Salem, and the afflicted girls. The presentation is held in the Griffen Theatre. We go into the theatre and we are treated to a wonderful presentation filled with special effects, spooky creatures, and stories about Salem. I won't give too much away, because it is a MUST SEE, and anything I say will ruin the surprises! But that was probably my favorite of the museums we saw!
When we were done with the Witches Cottage we went to the 40 Whacks Museum(Lizzie Borden). This was a HUGE ripoff. When I hear the word "museum" I picture a building filled with artifacts, genuine artifacts that show you what went on during a certain time. This was a building, it had items in it, that is for sure. However, this "Museum" was basically a read-through of the Lizzie Borden history, her life, her siblings, parents, house workers, and the trial and murder. There was no artifacts from the Borden family, all the items in the "museum" were antiques that the "museum" was selling! The only things relating to Lizzie Borden was the story boards! And at the end they had a replica of the family burial plot. What a waste of money! SAVE your ten bucks!
When we were done here we walked around the Museum Place Mall for awhile, browsing and looking at the souvenirs. They have t-shirts at the Witches Tee for $5, but there were none we liked. We left the Museum (There was live music going on) and we saw a tent doing free dream interpretations, free spiritual readings, and free life readings, so we thought we would check it out. We went together, and they told me I am on a spiritual journey and that I have the gift of communication with my creator. Dan did a dream interpretation, and he told of a recurring dream he has had, and they told him that based on the circumstances of his dream they think that an ancestor has had an untimely death and is trying to communicate their wronged to him. They seemed right on me, but Dan isn't convinced. But hey, it was free!
We walked on down the street and we saw a woman on stilts dressed as a witch "living statue." She was posing for pictures, so I had Dan pose with her. She was kind of strange, but seemed nice enough!
Around 3 we went to Pamplemousse, which is a high-end kitchen supply store. They had free mead tasting. I don't drink(or try new things!) but Dan tried the three samples they offered. He liked them all! I only remember one name, Viking's Blood. The woman doing the demo told us that the vikings used to drink mead, and that they would drink it from the skulls of their enemies. Interesting, but gross! Dan also tried the different garnishes they had for dipping pretzels in, and he liked them all.
We made one final museum visit, and that was to the Witch History Museum. This was a museum about the Salem Witch Hysteria. You sit in church pews while they tell you a brief history, then you go downstairs to 15 scenes depicting the afflicted girls, Tituba and John Indian, the arresting of George Burroughs, Gallows Hill, Cotton Mather, a witch with her familiar, family members secretly removing hanged "witches" from the witches pit(a pit where they threw bodies of the hanged, as they felt they didn't deserve a proper burial) and a graveyard which featured the "ghost" of Giles Corey, who was pressed to death for refusing to say he was guilty in order to keep his land and have it pass down his lineage.
After this museum we had to head back to the bus, so we walked past the Witch Trial Memorial, and popped into a gift shop to kill a little time. We got back on the bus at 4:30. It was a gorgeous day, nice weather. Only needed a light sweatshirt. I can't believe we managed to fit in so much stuff too!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Long-Awaited Florida Trip!!!
So we finally went to Florida! What a trip it was! I am pretty tired still, so please excuse any errors in this blog!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
We left at 5am to catch a 7am flight. We arrived in Florida, picked up the rental car, and headed to Seaworld. We had fun there! We saw many different animals! We saw turtles, alligators, sharks, penguins, dolphins, whales, walruses, sea lions, otters, manatees, belugas, sting rays, and even a polar bear! Not to mention the flamingos and various other birds! We headed right over to the dolphin habitat, where we fed the dolphins! This was a first time experience for him, and the dolphins made him a little nervous, but it was old hat to me! He enjoyed feeding and petting the dolphins! We also went to the sting ray touch pool, where we could touch the sting rays as they swam by the surface! That was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed that! They felt slimy in the water, but when you pulled your hand out of the water it wasn't slimy at all! We took in the Dolphin and Bird Show, Blue Horizon, which combined real animals with acrobats! It was a good show! We went on Journey to Atlantis, which is a flume ride. We also saw the Clyde and Seamore Show, which was a sea lion/otter show based on pirates! It is a very funny show, and we enjoyed that a lot! We checked out other exhibits, my favorites being the sharks, (you go through the exhibit and end up under a giant clear tunnel and the sharks swim over your head! very awesome!)the penguins, and the Wild Arctic, which is a motion simulator helicopter ride that ends in a frozen exhibit that houses belugas, a polar bear, and two giant walruses! After that we headed to the Shamu show, Believe. It was a fantastic show, and that show made Dan fall in love with Seaworld like me! We couldn't believe how quickly 7 hours went by!
After Seaworld we headed to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It was so much fun! I was a gypsy and Dan was a chick magnet(see pics on my photobucket for what it was!) We both spent the night getting complimented on our outfits! We went on several rides, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, and Winnie-the-Pooh. We also did the Hall of Presidents, I wanted to see Obama! I went there mostly for entertainment, though! Everyone who knows me knows I just adore Halloween! We saw the Villains Show(I just love Disney Villains!) and got our picture taken with Maleficent, from Sleeping Beauty, who is my absolute favorite! We also saw the Halloween fireworks, AMAZING! The fireworks were the best I had ever seen! And they went off to different Disney Halloween songs, like "Grim Grinning Ghosts," and "This Is Halloween"(My favorite!), and "Heffalumps and Woozles!" We also saw the "Boo To You" Parade! It was great! They gave everyone who entered a trick or treat bag and had stations set up for trick or treating! I got to feel like a kid again! It was very fun, and not just for small children which I loved! You could see everyone there who loved Halloween! Mostly everyone was in costume!
We checked in at our hotel around 1:30 am. Our room was AMAZING! We had 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms! Two of the bathrooms had jacuzzi tubs in them! Our dining room was huge, as was the living room. We had our own washer and dryer and a nice screened in porch! We didn't need all that for just two of us but it was nice!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
We stayed in bed til about 9:30, then we went down to the concierge to get our free park tickets! We had decided we were going to go to Disney Quest this morning. Disney Quest is a 5-story building in Downtown Disney that is FILLED with video games! Each floor has one or two signature games on it, and then regular arcade games. You have a choice of starting on the 1st floor and working your way up, or taking the elevator(Genie from Aladdin is your host here, telling you various things you will find throughout Disney Quest!) to the top and working your way down. We decided to work our way up. The first floor was the adventure floor. On that floor it had two signature games: Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean. On Jungle Cruise we sat in a raft with paddles and had to steer ourselves through white water rapids, complete with real water splashing us! Pirates of the Caribbean we were on a ship and we had to use cannons to shoot enemy ships and steal their gold! It was fun, the boat rocked from side to side and front to back and we had to keep running to shoot the six cannons! Then on to floor 2, where they have Animation Academy(it is kind of like a class to learn how to draw Disney characters, we skipped this though, it wasn't running when we got there!) They also had Radio Disney Song Maker, which was a booth where you could make your own cd's, and Sid's Toy Factory, where you could create a toy, and then actually purchase it after! We didn't really do much in here. Magic Carpets of Aladdin was also here, this was a virtual reality ride that had you as Abu the Monkey riding a carpet through Agrabah to get gems. It was fun, but the head gear you had to wear was heavy and didn't fit me right, I could barely breathe! Cyber Space Mountain was also located on this level, and this is (to me!) the best ride in here! You design your own roller coaster, and then you go in a special machine that actually lets you ride it! We had tons of loops, jumps, and spirals in ours! Then it was on to the third floor, where we went on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blast. This was bumper cars with a twist-instead of just bumping other people, you had to shoot them with balls(or asteroids) that you ran over and sucked up into a cannon! We did this twice! Also on this floor was Mighty Ducks Pinball, where you were part of the game! Everyone was on a moving platform as a "ball" and you had to get your ball past the goal! NOT as easy as you think! Fourth floor was the Wonderland Cafe, where we each had a HUGE cupcake(So good but TONS of frosting!) and relaxed awhile on the internet. We also played air hockey, and various other arcade games, including virtual bowling, which was wicked fun! Finally we arrived on the fourth floor, where we Rode the Comix, another virtual reality ride, with those heavy head gear. And we did Alien Invasion, where you get in a spaceship to save people. We were actually in this spaceship, he was shooting and I was piloting. We were both awful! The fifth floor actually had their cafe, but we were full from cupcakes! Since we got there so early we banged out Disney Quest in 3.5 hours and went out to walk Downtown Disney. We had heard Pleasure Island Closed, so we were surprised to see it still open. We headed that way, and we saw that, while the clubs still stood there, they weren't open, and instead had been replaced with high end stores and restaurants. We also passed by Characters In Flight, a 100 foot high hot air balloon that reaches heights of 400 feet tethered! I wanted to go on here, I should have gone on this day when we were here. I wanted to go on at night, he was willing to take me back on Thursday but my feet hurt so much I declined! Next time I go, definitely am doing this!
We headed back to the hotel to change for our pictures at the Grand Floridian. That was fun, I had not had professional pictures like this taken with a boyfriend before! (Every year I go to Salem and we get fun professional photos taken, but this was much nicer as we were dressed up!)
After our pictures we went to Capone's Dinner Theatre, where we were handed a slip of paper with our "password" on it. We had to knock on the door three times and tell them our password, which was "two cherry cokes." They then let us in and took our "mugshot." We were assigned a table, we were table 29, and told to go help ourselves to the buffet. The buffet was excellent! They had salad with ranch or Italian dressing, linguini with a choice of red sauce or alfredo sauce, macaroni and cheese, green beans, turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes, pot roast with carrots and potatoes, some fish dishes, and some delicious breadsticks with just a hint of garlic! We headed back to our table where our waiter took our order for drinks. I had a rum and coke(we had free alcohol included, so I figured might as well have one!, which was mostly rum and not a whole lot of coke, so I let it water down a lot! The waiter came by later and I asked for water, he brings me another rum and coke(they made a lot of jokes about everyone getting drunk) and I was like no, I really meant water. So he hands the rum and coke to Dan and says "I was trying to get her ready for you for later, guess that isn't going to happen!" and he brings me my water. The show was hysterical! I don't think there was one dull moment! The characters were Miss Jewel, who ran a speakeasy, Bunny June, who was a singer there and who just married Fingers Salvatorio, Fingers Salvatorio was a wanna-be gangster, who had two goals: to not work and to avoid Bugs Maran. Honey and Sunny are Bunny June's sisters, who come back to re-form their girl group, and Bugs Maran, the top gangster who was looking for Fingers. The waiters were all part of the show too, with names like Joey Too Slow, and other names! I won't give away the storyline, but it was definitely worth it! An awesome time! They also sang Happy Birthday to me, which was cool!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Today we went to Epcot. Epcot is right in the middle of its annual Food and Wine Festival, so Dan was excited to try things! We got to Epcot pretty much as it opened, and even with only Future World being open at 9(the countries don't open until 11) we managed to get through everything no problem! We started with Spaceship Earth, which shows you how history has developed over the years.Spaceship Earth is the Big Epcot Ball,and they have revamped it, which was great! There is now a touch screen panel in your seat that asks you questions and takes your picture to show you how your "future" will be! From Spaceship Earth we went to Mission Space and Test Track, to get those done fast! We chose single rider lines for Test Track, from experience I know that you don't wait long at all, and usually end up in the same car, which we did! (Mission Space simulated what it would be like to be an astronaut in space, and Test Track lets you ride in a car that goes through all the check tests car makers do to make sure your car is safe!) After those were done, we went on the Nemo Ride, in which you are in a giant clam shell that takes you through the movie using screens and character props. After the ride you get out into a big aquarium that, aside from various colorful fish, also features dolphins and manatees! I could have stayed there all day, but he was anxious to do more rides! From Nemo we went to Soarin, which was the longest line we had all day(50 minutes) but they had giant interactive screens that had games on there that everyone could partake in, so that helped kill time! Soarin is an attraction where you get in a glider and you "Soar" over California, and you can smell the pine trees and oranges as well as see different parts of the state, It is a very unique experience! After Soarin the countries were open, so we headed over there. That is where the Food and Wine Festival began. Most places would just have temporary tents set up for the Food. Not Disney! They actually built small stands for each country that was participating! Dan was all about that, he purchased a card to swipe on a wrist band so he didn't have to keep pulling his debit card out. He tried an empanada from Argentina, a lamb shank from Australia, chocolate milk creme brulee from France, polpetti from Italy, lava cake with Bailey's ganache from Ireland, a rice patty with beef from China, and Sushi from Japan. And that is only a sampling of the things to choose from! The countries represented are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico, Barcelona, Spain; Krakow, Poland; Shanghai, China; Vienna, Austria; Cork, Ireland; New Delhi, India; Cape Town, South Africa; Bangkok, Thailand; Melbourne, Australia; Paris, France; Munich, Germany; Bologna, Italy; Tokyo, Japan; Marrakesh, Morocco; New Orleans, Louisiana; Wellington, New Zealand; Montreal, Canada; Athens, Greece; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am really picky, so I didn't try anything, but Dan recommends it to everyone who has an adventurous palate! I ate at the good old American Adventure's Liberty Tree Tavern! Can't get more exciting than a double cheeseburger! I did try rocky road chocolate mousse from there! Does that count? The countries we visited were Mexico, we did the Gran Fiesta boat ride featuring Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros, as we go through Mexico looking for Donald, Norway for Maelstrom, which is a Nordic boat/flume ride that has you "cursed" by trolls, and Japan, so I could see the koi ponds and gardens. We also stopped by the American Adventure, where we saw the pre-show of the Voices of Liberty, an a capella group singing Patriotic Songs, and then the American Adventure Show, which I love! It has a combination of song, movie, and animatronics to show the history of our nation. When we got out of there, it started to torrentially rain, so we went to the Liberty Tree Tavern. The other people were stupid and just stayed in the rain, guess they didn't know the Tavern was next door! I wasn't about to tell them, I wanted to get a table! The fife and drum corp came and performed while we waited, which was cool! The rain let up and we headed for the exit, to jump on a Disney bus for Disney's Hollywood Studios. We got to the Studios only to find that our complimentary tickets were one day one park, so we hopped the bus back to Epcot. At Epcot we went on the Imagination Ride featuring Figment, the Purple Dragon. This was a ride I had never been on before, and I really liked it! Figment takes you through the senses, and probably the most memorable room was unfortunately the smell room, where we had the pleasure of smelling skunk spray! We went back over to England to the Rose and Crown Pub, for me to see the Hat Lady, Pam. She was a very good pianist and vocalist, and she also sang Happy Birthday to me! She sang Broadway songs, polka songs, Irish songs--something for everyone! She wanted me to come sing with her but I was a little shy, even though Dan told her I was a great singer! She has been there 15 years, and I can't believe I had never seen her before! I made friends with this wonderful guy named Harry, who looked just like Anthony Rapp(from RENT, Original Broadway Cast, as well as other musicals! Anthony is actually coming to Providence in November to reprise his role of Mark Cohen for the final RENT tour, as is Adam Pascal who is reprising his original role of Roger Davis! Ok, no more cheap plugs, I promise!) Harry was thrilled that I said he looked like Anthony, as he LOVED RENT and saw the Original Broadway Cast in New York! I loved the fact that when I left that Pub I felt like a regular, it was like Cheers, where everybody knows your name! After that we made our way to the front to leave. We were back at the hotel by 9, and settled in to watch tv, (TNA for him) and for me to relax in the awesome jacuzzi tub! I want a tub like that! I also packed us up, so we didn't have to do that in the morning, and he took advantage of our washer-dryer and did our laundry, which was nice!
Friday, October 16, 2009 (My Birthday!!)
We woke up early, as we were going to head to Disney's Hollywood Studios(formerly known as MGM.) We checked out of the hotel before we left. When we arrived at Hollywood Studios, we went straight for Toy Story Midway Games, a new 3-D ride that let you play carnival games for points, much like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom. It was incredibly fun, and only a short line! After that we did Walt Disney, The Man Behind The Dream, which was a nice walk through full of memorabilia from the parks and even Walt himself. It was a wonderful tribute for Walt! At that point I decided I wanted to see if I could obtain a birthday pin. I went up to the Will Call office and explained that it was my birthday, but we already had admission into the parks. The woman behind the counter was very nice, and she gave me not only a birthday pin that she wrote my name on, but she offered me three choices: Fast Passes for up to 6 members of my party, a ticket that I can use to come back anytime within the next year, or a gift card equal to $79 that I could spend on pretty much anything! So I chose the gift card, of course! I bought a hardcover Disney book, a set of 5 Disney books about the individual parks, a Haunted Mansion Game of Life, and a HUGE bag that ended up being my carry-on to fit it all in! After my shopping spree we did the Backlot Tour, which is a behind the scenes look at special effects in movies and various movie props from actual movies, and it culminated in a special Villains attraction where we could see costumes from various Disney Villains and Star Wars Villains! We also did the Great Movie Ride, which is a must-do for anyone going to Hollywood Studios! The Great Movie Ride is a ride through that takes us through the movies, starting with the early silent films up through current movies. We didn't have time for anything else, as we had to go to Universal Studios!
We head over to Universal Studios around 2. This place is amazing! You are on a Midway filled with games and shops before you even enter the park! We went into the regular Universal Studios, and go right on the Jimmy Neutron ride. We watch the pre-show, then get on the ride. Jimmy Neutron is a ride where you board Jimmy's Mark 1 space cruiser to track down his nemesis and save the planet. The Mark 1 moves, as does the screen in front of you. You soar through Hey Arnold's neighborhood, the house where the Rugrats live, Jimmy Neutron's own neighborhood, and Bikini Bottom, where Spongebob Squarepants lives. At the end of the ride the nemesis catches up to you and forces you to do the chicken dance! It is very funny, as the ride actually does the dance for you! After Jimmy Neutron, we went and did Shrek 4D. Princess Fiona has been kidnapped by the ghost of Lord Farquaad's henchman Thelonious! You join Shrek and Donkey as they race to get Fiona back! In this experience you actually can feel things, like Dragon's sneeze, or the bumpy onion carriage ride! The pre-show is great, too! The 3 little pigs are held in torturous starvation boxes, and Pinocchio is in an Iron Maiden. The Magic Mirror is also in this torture chamber, and Farquaad's Ghost comes to torture them! After this we split up, he went on Twister, and I went to the I Love Lucy Tribute. This was a walk through filled with things from Lucille Ball's life, including the I Love Lucy Show, when Desi Jr was born, things from The Lucy Show, and even chronicling her Broadway career. There were props, clothes, letters, jewelry. There was even an I Love Lucy quiz, where you are trying to get Ricky, Lucy, Fred, and Ethel to California! I loved it! Dan loved Twister too, he said it was a lot of fun! We met up at Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue, a fun show of monsters that turn Rock n Roll. They perform popular songs, and even did the Thriller dance! I liked it, Dan not so much. I did see this at Riverside Park back in the day when it was Halloween time, I preferred that show myself as they did older songs and made it fit in, like Devil with a Blue Dress, and Phantom of the Opera, because they had the Phantom there! Beetlejuice is just funny as always though! Finally, we went to the Simpsons Ride. We walked through "Martha's Vineyard" on our way, because that's where the Jaws Ride was. We make it to the Simpsons Ride where we had the longest line of the day, an hour. It was worth it though! They had Simpsons clips playing to entertain you as you waited. When you get to the ride you board a roller coaster car, and I was expecting to go on a coaster. The ride raises you up, and then you move in the car as you "ride" the coaster on the screen! It really felt like you were riding a coaster! It was a different experience, but I would totally recommend it!
After this the park was closing for its Halloween Spooktacular, and we had a flight to catch anyway, so we headed to the airport. We had to get gas because they required us to fill the car, so we chose to go closer to the airport. Boy did we get screwed! It cost us $4.49 a gallon! We make it to the airport and breeze through security, and we head to our gate to find our plane was delayed, which was good as we were running late ourselves! We made it on the plane for 7:31 pm, and arrived back in Boston by 9:50 pm! We took the Silver line to South Station and finally arrived back in Attleboro by 1 am! What a long trip! But it was so fun! Please check out my pictures on photobucket.com/butterfly1016217 if you would like to see my trip!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
We left at 5am to catch a 7am flight. We arrived in Florida, picked up the rental car, and headed to Seaworld. We had fun there! We saw many different animals! We saw turtles, alligators, sharks, penguins, dolphins, whales, walruses, sea lions, otters, manatees, belugas, sting rays, and even a polar bear! Not to mention the flamingos and various other birds! We headed right over to the dolphin habitat, where we fed the dolphins! This was a first time experience for him, and the dolphins made him a little nervous, but it was old hat to me! He enjoyed feeding and petting the dolphins! We also went to the sting ray touch pool, where we could touch the sting rays as they swam by the surface! That was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed that! They felt slimy in the water, but when you pulled your hand out of the water it wasn't slimy at all! We took in the Dolphin and Bird Show, Blue Horizon, which combined real animals with acrobats! It was a good show! We went on Journey to Atlantis, which is a flume ride. We also saw the Clyde and Seamore Show, which was a sea lion/otter show based on pirates! It is a very funny show, and we enjoyed that a lot! We checked out other exhibits, my favorites being the sharks, (you go through the exhibit and end up under a giant clear tunnel and the sharks swim over your head! very awesome!)the penguins, and the Wild Arctic, which is a motion simulator helicopter ride that ends in a frozen exhibit that houses belugas, a polar bear, and two giant walruses! After that we headed to the Shamu show, Believe. It was a fantastic show, and that show made Dan fall in love with Seaworld like me! We couldn't believe how quickly 7 hours went by!
After Seaworld we headed to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It was so much fun! I was a gypsy and Dan was a chick magnet(see pics on my photobucket for what it was!) We both spent the night getting complimented on our outfits! We went on several rides, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, and Winnie-the-Pooh. We also did the Hall of Presidents, I wanted to see Obama! I went there mostly for entertainment, though! Everyone who knows me knows I just adore Halloween! We saw the Villains Show(I just love Disney Villains!) and got our picture taken with Maleficent, from Sleeping Beauty, who is my absolute favorite! We also saw the Halloween fireworks, AMAZING! The fireworks were the best I had ever seen! And they went off to different Disney Halloween songs, like "Grim Grinning Ghosts," and "This Is Halloween"(My favorite!), and "Heffalumps and Woozles!" We also saw the "Boo To You" Parade! It was great! They gave everyone who entered a trick or treat bag and had stations set up for trick or treating! I got to feel like a kid again! It was very fun, and not just for small children which I loved! You could see everyone there who loved Halloween! Mostly everyone was in costume!
We checked in at our hotel around 1:30 am. Our room was AMAZING! We had 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms! Two of the bathrooms had jacuzzi tubs in them! Our dining room was huge, as was the living room. We had our own washer and dryer and a nice screened in porch! We didn't need all that for just two of us but it was nice!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
We stayed in bed til about 9:30, then we went down to the concierge to get our free park tickets! We had decided we were going to go to Disney Quest this morning. Disney Quest is a 5-story building in Downtown Disney that is FILLED with video games! Each floor has one or two signature games on it, and then regular arcade games. You have a choice of starting on the 1st floor and working your way up, or taking the elevator(Genie from Aladdin is your host here, telling you various things you will find throughout Disney Quest!) to the top and working your way down. We decided to work our way up. The first floor was the adventure floor. On that floor it had two signature games: Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean. On Jungle Cruise we sat in a raft with paddles and had to steer ourselves through white water rapids, complete with real water splashing us! Pirates of the Caribbean we were on a ship and we had to use cannons to shoot enemy ships and steal their gold! It was fun, the boat rocked from side to side and front to back and we had to keep running to shoot the six cannons! Then on to floor 2, where they have Animation Academy(it is kind of like a class to learn how to draw Disney characters, we skipped this though, it wasn't running when we got there!) They also had Radio Disney Song Maker, which was a booth where you could make your own cd's, and Sid's Toy Factory, where you could create a toy, and then actually purchase it after! We didn't really do much in here. Magic Carpets of Aladdin was also here, this was a virtual reality ride that had you as Abu the Monkey riding a carpet through Agrabah to get gems. It was fun, but the head gear you had to wear was heavy and didn't fit me right, I could barely breathe! Cyber Space Mountain was also located on this level, and this is (to me!) the best ride in here! You design your own roller coaster, and then you go in a special machine that actually lets you ride it! We had tons of loops, jumps, and spirals in ours! Then it was on to the third floor, where we went on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blast. This was bumper cars with a twist-instead of just bumping other people, you had to shoot them with balls(or asteroids) that you ran over and sucked up into a cannon! We did this twice! Also on this floor was Mighty Ducks Pinball, where you were part of the game! Everyone was on a moving platform as a "ball" and you had to get your ball past the goal! NOT as easy as you think! Fourth floor was the Wonderland Cafe, where we each had a HUGE cupcake(So good but TONS of frosting!) and relaxed awhile on the internet. We also played air hockey, and various other arcade games, including virtual bowling, which was wicked fun! Finally we arrived on the fourth floor, where we Rode the Comix, another virtual reality ride, with those heavy head gear. And we did Alien Invasion, where you get in a spaceship to save people. We were actually in this spaceship, he was shooting and I was piloting. We were both awful! The fifth floor actually had their cafe, but we were full from cupcakes! Since we got there so early we banged out Disney Quest in 3.5 hours and went out to walk Downtown Disney. We had heard Pleasure Island Closed, so we were surprised to see it still open. We headed that way, and we saw that, while the clubs still stood there, they weren't open, and instead had been replaced with high end stores and restaurants. We also passed by Characters In Flight, a 100 foot high hot air balloon that reaches heights of 400 feet tethered! I wanted to go on here, I should have gone on this day when we were here. I wanted to go on at night, he was willing to take me back on Thursday but my feet hurt so much I declined! Next time I go, definitely am doing this!
We headed back to the hotel to change for our pictures at the Grand Floridian. That was fun, I had not had professional pictures like this taken with a boyfriend before! (Every year I go to Salem and we get fun professional photos taken, but this was much nicer as we were dressed up!)
After our pictures we went to Capone's Dinner Theatre, where we were handed a slip of paper with our "password" on it. We had to knock on the door three times and tell them our password, which was "two cherry cokes." They then let us in and took our "mugshot." We were assigned a table, we were table 29, and told to go help ourselves to the buffet. The buffet was excellent! They had salad with ranch or Italian dressing, linguini with a choice of red sauce or alfredo sauce, macaroni and cheese, green beans, turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes, pot roast with carrots and potatoes, some fish dishes, and some delicious breadsticks with just a hint of garlic! We headed back to our table where our waiter took our order for drinks. I had a rum and coke(we had free alcohol included, so I figured might as well have one!, which was mostly rum and not a whole lot of coke, so I let it water down a lot! The waiter came by later and I asked for water, he brings me another rum and coke(they made a lot of jokes about everyone getting drunk) and I was like no, I really meant water. So he hands the rum and coke to Dan and says "I was trying to get her ready for you for later, guess that isn't going to happen!" and he brings me my water. The show was hysterical! I don't think there was one dull moment! The characters were Miss Jewel, who ran a speakeasy, Bunny June, who was a singer there and who just married Fingers Salvatorio, Fingers Salvatorio was a wanna-be gangster, who had two goals: to not work and to avoid Bugs Maran. Honey and Sunny are Bunny June's sisters, who come back to re-form their girl group, and Bugs Maran, the top gangster who was looking for Fingers. The waiters were all part of the show too, with names like Joey Too Slow, and other names! I won't give away the storyline, but it was definitely worth it! An awesome time! They also sang Happy Birthday to me, which was cool!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Today we went to Epcot. Epcot is right in the middle of its annual Food and Wine Festival, so Dan was excited to try things! We got to Epcot pretty much as it opened, and even with only Future World being open at 9(the countries don't open until 11) we managed to get through everything no problem! We started with Spaceship Earth, which shows you how history has developed over the years.Spaceship Earth is the Big Epcot Ball,and they have revamped it, which was great! There is now a touch screen panel in your seat that asks you questions and takes your picture to show you how your "future" will be! From Spaceship Earth we went to Mission Space and Test Track, to get those done fast! We chose single rider lines for Test Track, from experience I know that you don't wait long at all, and usually end up in the same car, which we did! (Mission Space simulated what it would be like to be an astronaut in space, and Test Track lets you ride in a car that goes through all the check tests car makers do to make sure your car is safe!) After those were done, we went on the Nemo Ride, in which you are in a giant clam shell that takes you through the movie using screens and character props. After the ride you get out into a big aquarium that, aside from various colorful fish, also features dolphins and manatees! I could have stayed there all day, but he was anxious to do more rides! From Nemo we went to Soarin, which was the longest line we had all day(50 minutes) but they had giant interactive screens that had games on there that everyone could partake in, so that helped kill time! Soarin is an attraction where you get in a glider and you "Soar" over California, and you can smell the pine trees and oranges as well as see different parts of the state, It is a very unique experience! After Soarin the countries were open, so we headed over there. That is where the Food and Wine Festival began. Most places would just have temporary tents set up for the Food. Not Disney! They actually built small stands for each country that was participating! Dan was all about that, he purchased a card to swipe on a wrist band so he didn't have to keep pulling his debit card out. He tried an empanada from Argentina, a lamb shank from Australia, chocolate milk creme brulee from France, polpetti from Italy, lava cake with Bailey's ganache from Ireland, a rice patty with beef from China, and Sushi from Japan. And that is only a sampling of the things to choose from! The countries represented are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico, Barcelona, Spain; Krakow, Poland; Shanghai, China; Vienna, Austria; Cork, Ireland; New Delhi, India; Cape Town, South Africa; Bangkok, Thailand; Melbourne, Australia; Paris, France; Munich, Germany; Bologna, Italy; Tokyo, Japan; Marrakesh, Morocco; New Orleans, Louisiana; Wellington, New Zealand; Montreal, Canada; Athens, Greece; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am really picky, so I didn't try anything, but Dan recommends it to everyone who has an adventurous palate! I ate at the good old American Adventure's Liberty Tree Tavern! Can't get more exciting than a double cheeseburger! I did try rocky road chocolate mousse from there! Does that count? The countries we visited were Mexico, we did the Gran Fiesta boat ride featuring Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros, as we go through Mexico looking for Donald, Norway for Maelstrom, which is a Nordic boat/flume ride that has you "cursed" by trolls, and Japan, so I could see the koi ponds and gardens. We also stopped by the American Adventure, where we saw the pre-show of the Voices of Liberty, an a capella group singing Patriotic Songs, and then the American Adventure Show, which I love! It has a combination of song, movie, and animatronics to show the history of our nation. When we got out of there, it started to torrentially rain, so we went to the Liberty Tree Tavern. The other people were stupid and just stayed in the rain, guess they didn't know the Tavern was next door! I wasn't about to tell them, I wanted to get a table! The fife and drum corp came and performed while we waited, which was cool! The rain let up and we headed for the exit, to jump on a Disney bus for Disney's Hollywood Studios. We got to the Studios only to find that our complimentary tickets were one day one park, so we hopped the bus back to Epcot. At Epcot we went on the Imagination Ride featuring Figment, the Purple Dragon. This was a ride I had never been on before, and I really liked it! Figment takes you through the senses, and probably the most memorable room was unfortunately the smell room, where we had the pleasure of smelling skunk spray! We went back over to England to the Rose and Crown Pub, for me to see the Hat Lady, Pam. She was a very good pianist and vocalist, and she also sang Happy Birthday to me! She sang Broadway songs, polka songs, Irish songs--something for everyone! She wanted me to come sing with her but I was a little shy, even though Dan told her I was a great singer! She has been there 15 years, and I can't believe I had never seen her before! I made friends with this wonderful guy named Harry, who looked just like Anthony Rapp(from RENT, Original Broadway Cast, as well as other musicals! Anthony is actually coming to Providence in November to reprise his role of Mark Cohen for the final RENT tour, as is Adam Pascal who is reprising his original role of Roger Davis! Ok, no more cheap plugs, I promise!) Harry was thrilled that I said he looked like Anthony, as he LOVED RENT and saw the Original Broadway Cast in New York! I loved the fact that when I left that Pub I felt like a regular, it was like Cheers, where everybody knows your name! After that we made our way to the front to leave. We were back at the hotel by 9, and settled in to watch tv, (TNA for him) and for me to relax in the awesome jacuzzi tub! I want a tub like that! I also packed us up, so we didn't have to do that in the morning, and he took advantage of our washer-dryer and did our laundry, which was nice!
Friday, October 16, 2009 (My Birthday!!)
We woke up early, as we were going to head to Disney's Hollywood Studios(formerly known as MGM.) We checked out of the hotel before we left. When we arrived at Hollywood Studios, we went straight for Toy Story Midway Games, a new 3-D ride that let you play carnival games for points, much like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom. It was incredibly fun, and only a short line! After that we did Walt Disney, The Man Behind The Dream, which was a nice walk through full of memorabilia from the parks and even Walt himself. It was a wonderful tribute for Walt! At that point I decided I wanted to see if I could obtain a birthday pin. I went up to the Will Call office and explained that it was my birthday, but we already had admission into the parks. The woman behind the counter was very nice, and she gave me not only a birthday pin that she wrote my name on, but she offered me three choices: Fast Passes for up to 6 members of my party, a ticket that I can use to come back anytime within the next year, or a gift card equal to $79 that I could spend on pretty much anything! So I chose the gift card, of course! I bought a hardcover Disney book, a set of 5 Disney books about the individual parks, a Haunted Mansion Game of Life, and a HUGE bag that ended up being my carry-on to fit it all in! After my shopping spree we did the Backlot Tour, which is a behind the scenes look at special effects in movies and various movie props from actual movies, and it culminated in a special Villains attraction where we could see costumes from various Disney Villains and Star Wars Villains! We also did the Great Movie Ride, which is a must-do for anyone going to Hollywood Studios! The Great Movie Ride is a ride through that takes us through the movies, starting with the early silent films up through current movies. We didn't have time for anything else, as we had to go to Universal Studios!
We head over to Universal Studios around 2. This place is amazing! You are on a Midway filled with games and shops before you even enter the park! We went into the regular Universal Studios, and go right on the Jimmy Neutron ride. We watch the pre-show, then get on the ride. Jimmy Neutron is a ride where you board Jimmy's Mark 1 space cruiser to track down his nemesis and save the planet. The Mark 1 moves, as does the screen in front of you. You soar through Hey Arnold's neighborhood, the house where the Rugrats live, Jimmy Neutron's own neighborhood, and Bikini Bottom, where Spongebob Squarepants lives. At the end of the ride the nemesis catches up to you and forces you to do the chicken dance! It is very funny, as the ride actually does the dance for you! After Jimmy Neutron, we went and did Shrek 4D. Princess Fiona has been kidnapped by the ghost of Lord Farquaad's henchman Thelonious! You join Shrek and Donkey as they race to get Fiona back! In this experience you actually can feel things, like Dragon's sneeze, or the bumpy onion carriage ride! The pre-show is great, too! The 3 little pigs are held in torturous starvation boxes, and Pinocchio is in an Iron Maiden. The Magic Mirror is also in this torture chamber, and Farquaad's Ghost comes to torture them! After this we split up, he went on Twister, and I went to the I Love Lucy Tribute. This was a walk through filled with things from Lucille Ball's life, including the I Love Lucy Show, when Desi Jr was born, things from The Lucy Show, and even chronicling her Broadway career. There were props, clothes, letters, jewelry. There was even an I Love Lucy quiz, where you are trying to get Ricky, Lucy, Fred, and Ethel to California! I loved it! Dan loved Twister too, he said it was a lot of fun! We met up at Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue, a fun show of monsters that turn Rock n Roll. They perform popular songs, and even did the Thriller dance! I liked it, Dan not so much. I did see this at Riverside Park back in the day when it was Halloween time, I preferred that show myself as they did older songs and made it fit in, like Devil with a Blue Dress, and Phantom of the Opera, because they had the Phantom there! Beetlejuice is just funny as always though! Finally, we went to the Simpsons Ride. We walked through "Martha's Vineyard" on our way, because that's where the Jaws Ride was. We make it to the Simpsons Ride where we had the longest line of the day, an hour. It was worth it though! They had Simpsons clips playing to entertain you as you waited. When you get to the ride you board a roller coaster car, and I was expecting to go on a coaster. The ride raises you up, and then you move in the car as you "ride" the coaster on the screen! It really felt like you were riding a coaster! It was a different experience, but I would totally recommend it!
After this the park was closing for its Halloween Spooktacular, and we had a flight to catch anyway, so we headed to the airport. We had to get gas because they required us to fill the car, so we chose to go closer to the airport. Boy did we get screwed! It cost us $4.49 a gallon! We make it to the airport and breeze through security, and we head to our gate to find our plane was delayed, which was good as we were running late ourselves! We made it on the plane for 7:31 pm, and arrived back in Boston by 9:50 pm! We took the Silver line to South Station and finally arrived back in Attleboro by 1 am! What a long trip! But it was so fun! Please check out my pictures on photobucket.com/butterfly1016217 if you would like to see my trip!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
More Writing
As many of you know, last year I belonged to a website called siteforrent.com. One of the challenges we had to do was write a sequel to RENT, which I eagerly jumped on. I decided I would post it here, for everyone to view. Even if you haven't seen RENT you can read this story, you just wont get some of the things I wrote or why I wrote them but it doesn't take away from the story. I had several people reading it as I wrote it last year, and whenever they finished a segment they BEGGED for the next part. It took me the entire month of March to write, (mostly while I was at work) and I am pretty proud of it! :) let me know what you think!
New Journeys and Adventures in Our Lives
It's been a year since Joanne and I found Mimi almost freezing to death in the park, and brought her to Mark and Roger's place for help. I think we all learned a lot that day, about friendships, and taking each day as a gift. Mimi is doing much better now. Roger has not left her side since her recovery. They have moved back into her old apartment in Benny's building, and she has gotten clean. Now she is working on staying clean, and Benny agreed to pay for her to go to college, so she is a full-time dance major at NYU.
Roger and Mark have agreed to go in on doing the studio with Benny, on one condition: he leaves the Tent Cities alone. Benny agreed, and they are revamping up the apartment house, as well as the one next door that Benny purchased just for this. Roger and Mimi live in the top apartment in one building, and Mark and Collins live in the top apartment in the other building. Eventually, they will become penthouse suites for them, and the buildings will be combined as one large building. Ideas have been laid, and work is in progress! Benny has progressed in his thinking, has become more open minded. There is a crazy bag/cat/bird lady who sits on the stairs of Benny's apartment building. She sits there all day and all night, she's dirty and grimy, and all she does is feed pigeons and cats, and sing to herself. She doesn't bother anyone, but it's still a shocker that Benny would allow her to sit on his stoop all day and night! I had already decided that I was going to try to befriend her.
Benny is still with "Muffy," but he is back to almost being the same Benny we all became friends with. As for Joanne and I, we are getting along much better, we still have some arguments about various men and women checking me out, but she is realizing that I am with her, and I only want to be with her. We are living in her apartment, mid town, and she is still working in the legal field. Mark, Roger, and I have collaborated on a project, where Mark directs, Roger writes the music, and I perform. We do mostly local performances, but the pay is decent, and we are able to save most of the money. Collins is working again as well, not at NYU but at NYC. He was offered a professor job, teaching computer courses to incoming freshmen. The ATM he had wired at the Food Emporium has been removed. The machine broke down a few weeks ago, and when they went to repair it, realized it had been hardwired to give cash to any person who had a certain code. Well, they couldn't have that now, could they! So our flow on the side was taken away. Oh well, it was a nice run while we had it!
We all still miss Angel immensely, and make it a point as a group to visit her grave once a month. After all, if it wasn't for her, we never would have learned how important each day is, and how special every friendship, that should not be taken for granted.
It's a Monday. Amazing how hard it is to get up and go to work-even when you're employer is yourself. I'm supposed to meet Mark and Roger at Roger's loft, as it is bigger, for rehearsal at 9 am sharp. I'm running late. I'm always running late. Luckily, they have patience with me. Today we are supposed to rework a segment of our newest show, "A Woman of Strength." I'm supposed to learn a new dance (courtesy of Mimi) that is supposed to portray me as, well, the title. I arrive at the loft, and much to my surprise, Mr. Hot-Shot director Mark is actually running late himself! Whew! For once it's not just me!
I grab a cup of coffee and start up a conversation with Roger and Mimi.
A half hour later, Mark rushes in, breathless and excited. So excited I forgot to make fun of him for being late for once in his life. He starts telling us about an interview he had just had. What we can get out of the conversation is that he had received a phone call pertaining to us, and performing on live TV. Televised on national television, for everyone to see!!! We all start chattering excitedly, and of course decide to go for it. I'm not paying much attention until I hear Mark say, "And that includes you , Maureen." What was he going on about now? Ahh. Attendance. Apparently now that we all have real jobs, I am no longer allowed to be late. Such a stickler. I can not wait to tell Joanne!
At the end of the day, we are all exhausted, but we have accomplished so much! I now have my dance down, and Roger worked out a few chords that were giving him a hard time. Collins and Benny both dropped in to see how rehearsal was going, and it was all we could do to tell them the news like normal people! They were both excited for us, and Collins said that Angel would be so proud and happy for us if she was still around!
I begin the journey back to my apartment. It is a nice day out. I pass by Benny's apartments. The crazy bag/cat/bird lady is ever-present, feeding her pigeons and singing non stop. I have noticed people have thrown a few coins her way. I decided to stop and chat with her. It had been on my list of things to do anyway. So I stop directly in front of her. She looks up mid song.
"Hi!" I say to her.
She barely looked up at me. "Hi."
The non-responsiveness would normally deter any other normal person. But I was not a normal person. I persevered. I started asking questions. When she finally looked at me, I realized she was maybe only twenty five years old, with light brown hair, and the most gorgeous green eyes ever, and a cIear complexion. She looked vaguely familiar, but I could not place her. I began to probe, asking all about her life. It turned out that she had been living in an apartment, but got evicted because she couldn't pay the rent. Boy, could I relate! She was actually a fascinating person. Her name was Danielle, and the cats that were ever present actually belonged to her. When she got evicted, they did too, and being loyal companions, have adapted to living on the streets with her. She is able to keep them fed because the coins that she gets every day is enough for her to buy a can of tuna fish. She eats a portion then divides the rest between the three cats. She has been unable to find a job, her previous work was financial, but she told me she had been an aspiring actress for years! But no one would hire her as she had no place to live. I must have spoken to her for a good hour. I made a vow to help her anyway I could, especially since I just got a good paying job.
I finally get back to my apartment, and Joanne hasn't arrived yet. I begin to make dinner, as I need something to do to occupy my mind while I wait to tell her the news. Almost 2 hours later, she arrives. I have a salad prepared, as well as baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, and I made a tiramisu for dessert. She was shocked as well as pleased, and wondered what the occasion was. I could not wait any more, and told her of the interview Mark had, and what they want us to do. She was surprised, but she also had news for me: they had made her Associate VIP of her law firm! We hugged each other, and jumped around the kitchen, and cried. What an exciting day!
Over the next few weeks, we get settled and used to working with studio audiences and cameras. Then the hard part starts. They want us to turn our one woman show into a sitcom, one about exactly what we had been doing: struggling artists who get a break. They want us all to be co-stars. Roger and I were fine with that, but Mark had a hard time giving up his role as director and taking up a role as performer!
We began to rehearse at the studio 6 days a week, 14 hr days. Our pilot episode was due to air in exactly 3 months. The show was going to be called "Directing Our Lives," and was going to feature "new up-and-coming stars"--Mark Cohen, Roger Davis, and me-Maureen Johnson. They promised audiences that we were a young, fresh cast with loads of talent that was sure to keep them wanting more. What a thing to live up to!
Roger was going to write the opening credits music for the show, as well as the ending credits music. When he wasn't at rehearsal with us, he was working on the music for the show. Every day we'd leave work exhausted, but it was going to be so worth it, in the end! No matter how tired I was when I left however, I never forgot my vow to Danielle. I would always give her at least a twenty every time I walked by her. I would stop and chat, as we were now friends, and as I left I'd slip her money. She protested every day, and tried to refuse, but I always managed to sneak her a few bucks! I would tell her about our show, and the progress we were making. She was as excited as I was about the show, even though she had no television with which to watch it!
Finally the pilot episode aired. We were nervous and excited to see how it was going to appeal to the audiences. We waited through what seemed to be the longest half hour ever. After the show, we were anxiously waiting the review. Was all the hard work and effort worth it? Our boss came in the conference room. "IT'S A GO!" THE AUDIENCE LOVED IT!" he shouted.
We jumped up and down and screamed ecstatically amongst the confetti being tossed and the champagne being popped. We were signed in for a 3 yr-PRIMETIME-contract! That meant we did not have to worry about money for the next THREE years! I could hardly wait for our own celebration down at the Life Café that was going to take place over the weekend!
Going home that evening was exhilarating as well as exhausting. As I walked by Danielle, I gave her a hundred dollars, and invited her to join us at the Life Café, which she accepted. When I arrived home, I gave Joanne a hug and a kiss hello, and told her of our exciting news. More jumping ensued, as well as tears of joy. I collapsed into bed, in a deep sleep. The next morning, I awoke at a leisurely 11:30 am. (We had aired at the 8:00 pm primetime hotspot on Friday night! They had given us the weekends off, and we were going to begin rehearsals and taping again on Monday!) Joanne was nowhere to be found, as an Associate VIP's life is non-stop busy!!! I sit up lazily, and notice that Joanne had made me breakfast! She has made me a sausage and cheese on a plain bagel with fresh honey dew melon on the side, as well as a glass of cranberry juice. She has also placed a single red rose in a vase, and an imported chocolate truffle on a plate. There is also a note that reads, "Congratulations, honey, I always knew you would be famous!" She is always so thoughtful! I really don't know how she has been able to put up with me. I'll admit I can be kind of…selfish sometimes. But I'm working on that. I turn on my television and indulge myself in a Lifetime movie while I eat my breakfast. (I may look like a rocker chick but that doesn't mean I don't also have a soft side!)
I pad downstairs barefoot in my pajamas on my way to take a shower. I gather up my shower gel, towel, scrubby, and hair twisty and head into the bathroom. I put the shower up full blast and turn on the back massager. I close the door to ensure the bathroom will be nice and steamy, and go into the kitchen to wash up my dishes from breakfast. Ten minutes later, I'm standing in the bathroom which has become my sauna, immersed under the waterfall from my shower head. I'm reflecting on the past day's events, and how instantly stardom has occurred.
An hour later, I emerge from the shower, towel off, put my lotion all over my body, spritz on my favorite perfume in all the right places, and throw on a pair of tight jeans and a baby tee. My hair has the just rolled out of bed look, my make up is perfect, and a pair of black boots and my leather jacket completes the outfit. I am ready to start my day.
I leave my apartment, and head down the street. I know I look good, and I know I will be checked out. Sure enough, not more than five minutes after I leave my doorstep I get a smile by a cute construction worker. Two minutes later a cute blonde girl gives me a wink. Am I glad Joanne is not here to witness this! We'd have a huge fight! I head uptown towards Mark's apartment. I am hoping he is in, to go over a scene we are working on, where we are dating and living together. When I arrive, Mark is standing on his balcony with his ever-present video camera, filming the sights and sounds of the city. "Always the director," I think to myself with a smile. Mark turns when I walk in. He must have heard the squeak of the door as I entered. I told him I was there to run some lines. "Cool, there were some things I also wanted to go over with you," he says to me.
We arrange ourselves on the floor and get to work. We rehearse for about 3 hours. It's amazing how hard it is act that you're dating someone, when in real life you actually DID date that person. When you date someone, you don't think about it, you just do it. But when you have to act like you are with someone when you aren't, it's a whole new ball game. I could tell Mark was feeling the same pressure I was, so we took a well-deserved break. We ended up talking and joking and reminiscing for the next three hours.
All of a sudden, Mark sits up and looks at the clock. "Damn! We were supposed to be at the Life Café half an hour ago!"
We fly into gear, throwing on coats and shoes, and in my case, reapplying makeup and re-mussing my hair. We practically run the three-block distance to the Life Café. We run in together, rosy cheeked and breathless, laughing because we had practically tripped over each other on our run over. I look around the room, and I spot Joanne. She does not look happy to see me and Mark laughing and joking together. Wonderful. I'm in trouble again. I wish she would get over this horrible jealousy streak, it makes being her girlfriend difficult at times.
I walk over to her, and her face is a storm cloud. This is definitely not a good sign. "Hey baby," I say to her. "Don't 'hey baby' ME," she says. "I saw you over there with Mark laughing and joking. We will discuss this at home."
This is going to be a long night.
The Life Café was busy as always, but this time it was filled with only people I knew. A big "Congratulations Mark, Roger, and Maureen" banner hung across the back wall. The regular light bulbs had been replaced with multicolored light bulbs, and it gave the place a warmer glow. A band was playing soft rock music in the corner. All the big-wigs from our television studio are there. Roger, Mark, Mimi, Joanne, Benny, and Collins are all there, naturally. I scanned the room some more. Danielle was there, and she looked good! Her face and hair were clean, her eyes bright and sparkly. She was sporting a new outfit as well! When she smiled, the whole room lit up! I went over to give her a hug. I've never seen it quite this packed before!
We ordered our usual: miso soup, seaweed salad, soy burger dinners, tofu platters, and pasta with meatless balls. No dinner would be complete without our usual wine and beer, of course.
While we wait for our dinner, my boss stands up and raises his glass for a toast. "To us," he says. "To you and you, and you, you, and you. To everyone involved in making 'Directing our lives,' from the swings to the actors, to the script writers and the clean up crew, everyone has done an amazing job in such a short time. Without you, there would have been no show. I raise my glass to you all!" Everyone cheers and downs their champagne. Except for Mimi, I noticed, who slowly raised her glass of ginger ale.
"Hmm…I wonder… could she be pregnant?" I think to myself. I make a mental note to ask her about that later, after the festivities die down.
We spend the rest of the night reveling in the congratulations, drinking, and having a good time. At about 3 am the crowd finally thins out and it is just Collins, Mark, Roger, Mimi, Joanne, and I left. Even Benny had left early. His prissy wife had demanded he come home. Mimi gets up to go to the bathroom, and I get up as well, which prompts the guys to crack that old joke about how women always need to go in pairs. I gave them the finger, which of course made them laugh more.
I was standing in the bathroom, playing with my hair while I was waiting for Mimi to finish up. I was trying to think of a casual way to ask if she was indeed pregnant, but nothing was coming to mind. Tactful isn't my style anyway. I decided to just come out with it and ask.
"Hey Mimi, I couldn't help but notice that when we toasted glasses earlier this evening, you raised your glass and it was ginger ale, not champagne. What is going on? Are you pregnant?"
There was a long pause of silence from Mimi. Finally she spoke. "Yes, I'm two months pregnant. And I'm so scared."
"Oh Mimi, how come you didn't tell us?"
"I'm scared. We are scared. We don't know what to do. We had spoken about abortion, but we can't bring ourselves to kill a living child. On the other hand, we don't want to bring a child into the world with a strike against it before it even starts."
We both knew she was talking about bringing a child into the world with the major possibility of giving him or her HIV.
"Don't worry. You and Roger have both been taking your AZT regularly, right?
"Yeah. Benny was helping us pay our medical expenses, until Roger just got this sitcom with you and Mark."
"Then you should be okay. We will go to the clinic tomorrow and see if we can get some literature on what to do when you are pregnant and are HIV positive." I gave her a hug.
She cried for a few more minutes in my arms, then she washed her face and put on a smile and bravely left the bathroom. As we were leaving, she asked me to help her tell the others. I told her that was no problem, we would grab their attention when we got back to the table. There was no one else in there but us at this time anyway, as it was almost 4 am.
"Wow, you guys were in there a half an hour. Is everything ok?" Mark asked us, all concerned. I noticed Roger and Mimi exchange a look.
"Yes. Mimi just needed to talk about something. Something she needs to tell everyone. So if everyone could just listen up for a minute, she would like to make an announcement."
Roger comes forth to stand with Mimi. He wasn't about to let her do this alone. I squeeze Mimi's arm, and get a grateful look on my way back to my seat.
Mimi begins. Her voice is wavy, and she is visibly shaking. Roger puts his arm around her to comfort her. Her voice is surprisingly steady.
"As you guys know, Roger and I have been a couple for over a year now. We have been through all sorts of ordeals, ranging from overcoming addictions, to poverty, to loss of a friend, to getting an apartment together and getting our lives back on track. We have both been taking our AZT, and thankfully, our health is great. However, as careful as we have been, I have become pregnant."
The room fell silent as they absorbed the shock of Mimi's words.
Roger spoke next.
"We have been stuck between a rock and a hard place, which is why we haven't told anyone yet. We weren't sure if we were going to keep it, or abort it, or put it up for adoption. We don't think it's fair to kill an unborn baby, who hasn't even begun to experience life, but at the same time, we don't know how we can bring a child into the world knowing that there is a huge possibility of that child being born HIV positive."
Mark was the first one to break the silence. "Well, more congratulations are definitely in order!"
Roger and Mimi exchanged another look.
One by one everyone slowly gets up from the table to offer congratulations and hugs to Roger and Mimi.
I decide to speak. "I am not sure what everyone is thinking, but I feel that Mimi and Roger would make wonderful parents, HIV+ or not. I think they should carry their child into the world and raise it like anyone else. We can always look into different methods and precautions for preventing passing HIV."
Collins was the first to agree with me, with Mark and Joanne right behind him.
It was decided that Mimi and I would go to the clinic later on today to talk to a technician and get information.
We left the café shortly after 4:30 am to go home and get some sleep.
The next day I go and get Mimi, and we walk the few blocks to the clinic. We meet with a technician named Dr. Walker, who is very helpful, and provides us with tons of information about being pregnant and with HIV. We learned that there are antiretroviral medications, such as Zidovudine, or ZDV, that are given during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and after birth that make the risk be down to only 2% of passing it on.
When we leave, we feel 100% better. Mimi has decided to keep the child, and I congratulated her again, and told her that she and Roger were going to be the best parents ever to that child. We were on our way to meet Roger for a late lunch at Sardi's. Hey, we are famous now! That's THE PLACE to go if you are famous in New York! He had arrived before us and had gotten priority seating. We rushed over to him, and we each gave him a big hug. Mimi looked at him, and with tears in her eyes, told him they were going to be parents! He broke into a huge smile, and scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around. He gave her a kiss and set her down. He looked her dead in the eyes, and said, "Mimi, I was going to wait until the spring to do this, but right now, I don't think a better moment would ever present itself." She gave him a quizzical look, but before she could say anything, he gets down on one knee in the middle of the restaurant, clasps her hands between his, looks into her eyes, and says "Mimi Marquez, from the day I first met you, the day you strutted so sexily into my apartment with that candle and made me forget my song, I was hooked. Through all the drugs, all the withdrawals, my moving to Santa Fe and then back, nothing could make me forget about you, or not want to be with you. When I thought you were dying, I thought my life was over. I didn't want to live if I couldn't live with you. Having you get pregnant only emphasizes this. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives, and I'm hoping you also feel that way. I love you, and I want you to be my wife." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautifully crafted, three-diamond ring, two solitaire diamonds surrounding a full 2 carat diamond shaped like a heart, all of the finest of the 4 C's. It was a one of a kind ring, one Roger had taken time 2 dream up and have crafted especially for Mimi.
The restaurant had fallen silent, to watch Roger pledge his love to Mimi. Now we were anxiously awaiting her response.
"Oh Roger," Mimi said, "I have felt the same way since I have met you as well. I often wondered how you were able to deal with me when I was going through my withdrawals, amongst other things. I knew we had clicked from day one, but I was never sure as to how you felt about me. Of course I will marry you, I love you, and I don't want to be without you." Roger took Mimi's hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. He leaned down and gave her a kiss to seal the deal. When the restaurant started applauding, Mimi and Roger looked shocked. I don't think they had realized that they had had an audience the entire time they had said their speeches!!! I was so happy for them! But it reminded me. I had still not reconciled with Joanne from the night before. I had better get home and fast, before she thinks I was out cavorting all day while she was slaving at work!
I arrived home with thirty minutes to spare. I started to set the table for dinner. Today, dinner was going to be her favorite. Chicken parm with cheese sauce and linguini, with Italian bread and butter, a side salad, red wine, and chocolate mousse for dessert.
By the time Joanne walked in the door, the salad had been tossed, the linguini was cooked and sitting in a pretty glass bowl, and the chicken had turned a nice shade of golden brown. I had just finished making the cheese sauce and it was ready to be drizzled on the pasta. The mousse had been stirred up and was waiting for a dollop of whipped cream on top with just the tiniest slice of candied lime. I had also set the table with our best china and wine glasses. Two candles in silver candlesticks were flickering in the gentle breeze blowing in from the open kitchen window.
Joanne didn't even notice my handiwork, as she marched past the kitchen and into the bedroom, where she angrily started taking her clothes off and putting on comfortable pajamas. I must admit, watching her do that in such a fury was really hot! But I knew now was not the time or place.
"You okay, honey?" I asked her.
"DO I LOOK LIKE I AM OKAY?" she bellowed back at me. Okay. Not so hot now.
"No. Do you want to talk about it?"
She begins to tell me about how her boss has decided she can not handle all her work and he's making her take on an assistant. To me, that doesn't sound so bad. But that is Joanne for you, Miss Perfectionist. She can't have anything that would be a flaw. An assistant to her is a major flaw. I put my arm around her and rubbed her back. She put her head on my shoulder, and we sat that way for a little while. All of a sudden, she sat up. "What is that wonderful smell?" she asked.
"Oh, I had made dinner for us."
"What did you make??"
I wouldn't tell her. I held her hand and lead her into the kitchen and sat her down at the table. She surveyed the spread with astonishment and joy.
"Oh baby you did this for me! And I came home so upset and miserable!"
"Don't worry about it," I told her. "Everyone has a bad day sometimes. Just enjoy the dinner."
We sat and ate, and it was a quite nice dinner. By the time dinner was over, Joanne was in a good mood again, and she even offered to do the dishes!
We stretched out on the couch and turned on the television. There was a period of time that passed before Joanne spoke.
"Maureen, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me last night. I saw you rushing in with Mark and I got so jealous. I know you are my girlfriend, and I know that you have gotten much better with not flirting with every woman or man who walks down the street. But yesterday, seeing you guys so happy, it, I don't know, made me upset. I shouldn't have taken thrown those looks at you, you didn't deserve that."
I waited a few minutes to choose my words carefully before responding.
"Joanne, I know I deserve every ounce of suspicion that you may have, but I assure you that I am true to you. I would never hurt you or betray you in any way. I have mended my old ways, and I'm not flirting with anyone else, or even thinking about anyone else. I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy, Maureen," she said to me. "I love being with you, and I trust you. I don't know what got into me yesterday. I don't even want to talk about it, it was a brief moment, and I was wrong. I'm sorry."
And that was it. We spent the rest of the night cuddled up on the couch watching old movies. It was actually a nice night!
We woke up late the next day, and we decided we would have a lazy, leisurely day before we had to get back to work. Our day consisted of getting up late, having a traditional New York breakfast of bagels, lox, and cream cheese, going to Central Park to walk through and ride the carousel, and going to dinner at a French Café, followed by a moonlight horse and buggy ride. It was a very nice, romantic day with no arguments.
The next week, work was crazy busy, but it flew by. It's amazing how quickly time goes by when you are rehearsing lines and blocking scenes! To complete one half hour show took 2 full five-day work weeks at 12 hours a day.
It was worth it, though. The Neilson ratings were through the roof about our show! Everyone was raving!
The months started to fly by. Roger, Mark, and I were practically living at the studio. We would leave there at night and go home and crash almost immediately. The weekends we all tried to get together at least once to hang out and catch up, but while it sounded good on paper, it barely happened with the hectic lives we all were living. I barely knew what was going on with my own co workers outside the studio. I had noticed Mark was unusually happy lately, and Roger had seemed a little on the quiet side, but we hadn't had much time to talk.
One day I was able to catch up with Roger. I wanted to see how Mimi was doing with her pregnancy. She would have been about 6 or 7 months along by now. "Hey, how is Mimi and the pregnancy?" I asked him.
"She's doing okay," he replied. "Very tired, being pregnant and having HIV is exhausting for her. She's seven months along now. One of the babies is doing well, the other not so well. But we are doing all we can."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that…Babies? You are having twins?! Oh my god, Roger, I had no idea! Has it been that long since we have caught up?"
He shrugged. "I guess so. I thought we had told everyone. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, Roger. We have all been busy! Don't blame yourself! Mimi will be okay, and the babies will be fine as well. Doctors can do fantastic things nowadays!"
I made a mental note to get over to see Mimi as soon as I could.
I arrived home that night, and I was very quiet. Joanne knew something was wrong immediately, and came over to inquire. I told her about Mimi and the babies, she had no idea as well. We were beginning to wonder if they had told anyone, or if they had been too busy. I decided I would call everyone, and let them know.
I started with Collins. Collins had been informed, he speaks to Mimi on a regular basis because he sees her al the time. Their classes meet at the same time, and even though its two separate schools, they arrange to get coffee once or twice a week. Well, coffee for Collins. Mimi gets ginger ale. Collins has decided that he's not going to seriously date anyone again, because he knows his time is limited, and anyone he gets involved with, their time is limited as well. He knows he can't handle loving and losing like he did with Angel. He also doesn't want to hurt anyone if something was to happen to him. He told me that he has found true love once before, and that he will never find anything like that again.
Once I had talked to Collins, I called Benny. Benny also knew about Roger and Mimi. He had told me that he and Mimi had been hanging out a lot, which is weird to me, I would think that Roger would not approve of Mimi and Benny hanging out alone, as she had cheated on him before. I brushed it aside, Mimi and Roger seem to be so much in love, I couldn't imagine either one of them away from each other.
Finally, I call Mark. Mark is probably my least favorite to call because of our past history. He answers on the first ring, of course. I smile to myself, Mark is always reliable and always there when I need him. Good old Mark. It is a wonder he hasn't found anyone yet. Of all my boyfriends, he was definitely the best.
I tell Mark about Mimi and Roger. He had been uninformed as well. He's happy for them, and worried like we all are. Then I figured I'd catch up with him as well, so we began to chat. He filled me in on his newest film endeavors. Always the aspiring director! Never mind that we are making more than enough money now!
Conversation moved from his movies to his personal life. I was surprised and happy to hear that he had finally met someone, a girl named Jes who played guitar in a band and wrote all her own music. They had met at one of her gigs, Roger liked to go to a certain club, and one day he had dragged Mark with him to hear the bands, and Mark saw Jes and was mesmerized by her not-caring rocker chick attitude and awesome lyrics, to say nothing for her amazing talent on the guitar. He worked up the courage to talk to her, and they have been dating for six months now! Again, I was amazed that I had not been aware of this! I knew something was up based on how happy he had been, but I had no idea it was this!
They sounded like a kind of odd match, but it seemed like he was happy, so I went with it. She actually sounded like more of a match for Roger, what with the whole musician thing going on. But they say opposites attract right? Joanne and I are completely different and we work just fine!
After I finish up with Mark, I decide that I must go see Mimi tomorrow. I miss her, and it is a Saturday, so I am off. I call her and ask her to meet me for shopping and a late lunch. She agrees, and sounds completely happy that I want to hang out! We agree to meet at 2:00 pm to grab lunch at an outdoor café.
The next day at lunch Mimi fills me in on what Roger had already told me, and what the doctors have said. One of the options is to still birth one of the babies, drug induced. It is a new procedure that can run very costly. Her and Roger can afford it, but Benny offered to pay for it. Interesting. Again, Benny is brought up. She has two months left to go. They can induce the still born right up to the time of birth. It is a pretty hefty decision, though. I don't think I could knowingly kill my baby.
After lunch we go shopping. Nothing like spending money to get a girl's spirits up! Mimi needed some new maternity clothes. She wasn't fat anywhere but her tummy, and her shirts were barely covering now. We went to the finest maternity store in the City. Mimi found 6 cute tops and 3 pants, and we figured that would get her through the rest of her pregnancy.
I head home in the early evening, say hi to Danielle, and finally have time to spend with Joanne. We converse about our week, and cuddle up to watch television. We decide that Sundays will be our day to hang out and be lazy together.
Sunday comes and goes way too fast as always. It's back to work on Monday so we can bang out a few more shows.
The weeks fly by again, and I try to make more of an effort to keep up with Mark and Roger. Roger is still as miserable as Mark is ecstatic. I know he is worried about Mimi and the twins. Mark is in love, anyone with eyes can see that!
One night, the phone rings at 3 am. Mimi has gone into labor! She has decided to try to give birth to both children. We rush down to the hospital to be there for her when she was done. Joanne, Mark (accompanied by Jes), Collins, Benny (not accompanied by "Muffy") and I all sit anxiously awaiting the news. Roger is in the birthing room with Mimi of course. We all hold our balloon bouquets, potted flowers, and stuffed animals. Mimi had a relatively quick labor, which was good as it was a first birth and they usually take a long time! Both babies were born alive, which was good. She had two girls! The second twin had bright blue skin though, which wasn't a good sign. We were hoping that she would get through the APGAR tests ok.
The first twin was given the tests and she was had a perfect score. The second twin was given the tests, and she was at less than 50%. They were going to retry her in 10 minutes or so, but they feared the worst. They feared the child would have to be incubated and tubes would have to be placed in her veins to help her breathe and eat. Ten minutes later proved the same thing. She was to be incubated immediately. Doctors took Roger aside to discuss the baby's situation. Mimi nervously watched, while holding tightly to her other baby.
Finally Roger comes over, and explains to us the situation. Mimi gave birth to one healthy daughter and one who was infected with HIV. The HIV daughter was alive, but barely. She would have to be incubated for many months, and she could never be held or touched for any germs would make her even sicker. She would need doctor's care the rest of her life, which would only be at best two years. It would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for her medicines and hospital stays, as she would almost permanently be in the hospital all of her short life. Mimi was in tears, and who could blame her? This was one of her children, a child she had given birth to. They decided to incubate the child. They had decided on names, but were keeping it a secret. Even the bassinettes didn't have the names on them. They just read as "Girl Marquez." Mimi did not want to have Roger's last name on the birth certificate, just in case something happened and they did not get married. But he was listed as the father of her children.
We went to visit Mimi and the babies every day. The incubated twin was not making any progress. Her skin remained blue and even though they were pumping vitamins and fluids in her body, she was not reacting well to them. Her pulse was weak, her breath shallow. On the fifth day, her heart gave out, and even though they tried to revitalize her, she could not make it. Five days after life was given to her, Mimi's second baby died. Mimi was a wreck. She couldn't stop crying, and no amount of comfort could help.
It was a sad day when Mimi left the hospital. She carried the remaining twin in her arms. They had decided to name her Harmony Angel, so they could pass on a bit of a memory from Angel herself. Mimi and Roger both looked very upset and sad.
The funeral was held two days after they had left the hospital. It was just the eight of us, and it was a sullen, somber experience. The only tears shed where when the tiny white coffin was lowered into the ground. It was a simple service, but pretty. Very appropriate for the situation. We all threw pink roses on top of the casket. Her name was Cassandra Jade, a gorgeous name for a beautiful little girl. It only seemed right to give her a name, she had been carried to term and she had lived and breathed, if only for five short days. She was going to have a pretty, simple white marble marker with two angels carved into the top watching over her, with her name and dates of birth and death.
The days went on, and everyone resumed their normal activities, Mimi was taking a long leave of absence from school, for at least a year, to take care of her baby. The professors gave her incompletes instead of failing her, because they understood the special circumstances. Roger and Mark and I all went back to the show. I had also started formulating a plan to get Danielle a job and an apartment, so she would not have to live on the streets any longer. Joanne and Collins went back to their jobs, and Benny resumed his building plans. Roger remained as sullen as he had been before, but now had grown so thin the skin around his eyes was almost translucent, and he looked perpetually tired. Mark was ecstatic as ever. Love works for him! And Jes is so cute too! They make a great couple!
I had noticed Roger had been leaving work later and later. We normally left at 8, but he had been sticking around later and later, which is uncharacteristic for him. One night, I had decided to stick around and see what he did for all those extra hours. I hid myself up in the cat walk, which gave me a clear view of the entire building. As the building emptied, I began to look for Roger. Roger was sitting in the far corner of the building. He had his guitar. He strummed the guitar, a soft melancholy melody. Every so often he would play a chord, shake his head to brush the hair out of his eyes, and write something down, talking to himself the entire time. I must have watched him two hours, not wanting to disturb him.
Finally, I could not bear the silence. I crept down the cat walk and tiptoed over to Roger, not wanting to disturb him. He looked up at me, startled. "What are you doing here?" he asked me. I told him I wanted to figure out what he did all night, while we were asleep. He told me that was his outlet, his way of coping with stress. "What stress?" I asked.
"Yeah, things with Mimi and I are not going well. We argue constantly when we are together, which is never lately, and I know she is never home when I am at work. I call her all the time when I am here, and she never answers the house number or her cell phone. I think she is having an affair."
With that final comment Roger turned and punched the wall as hard as he could. Knuckles bleeding, he came back to sit with me. I wiped the blood off his hand, applied some healing cream and wrapped it in bandages. I let him vent for awhile, and we discussed the situation. We decided we would talk to Mimi together. We arranged our schedules to leave work early on Friday and pop in unannounced at Mimi and Roger's apartment. We would sit her down and have a discussion. When Roger and I leave it is past midnight. We know work is going to be a long day tomorrow, but we both felt better after we left.
We got through the day fine, and Roger left with us on time today. He knew that tomorrow was going to be the day of confrontation. I go home and have dinner with Joanne. It was her day off, so she had prepared a green salad with baked lasagna, buttered Italian bread, and a whipped cream cake for dessert. We cuddled up in front of the television, as usual. Roger and I had decided to not mention this to anyone else, at least until the confrontation was over, so I could not even tell Joanne.
The next day at work was a long day, even though we were leaving at four instead of eight. Roger appeared nervous and flighty to me. Mark was oblivious to the fact that he was acting any different from normal.
Four pm rolls around, and Roger and I leave. We walk the short distance to the apartment. We creep up the stairs slowly, with no noise what so ever. When we reached the door to the apartment however, we learned that we did not need to worry about being careful. The baby was wailing, but even louder than that was moans coming from the bedroom. Moans that were coming from Mimi. I looked at Roger, unsure of what to say.
"She better be by herself," he growled.
We crept closer to the door. He reached for the doorknob and quietly opened the door. We peered around the doorway. I do not think either of us were prepared for what we saw.
When we opened the door, we saw Mimi in reverse cow girl position riding a guy whose face we were unable to see from our angle. They had not seen us yet. Mimi's eyes were closed, lost in the throes of passion. I knew I wasn't going to make them aware of our presence. I did not have to wait long though. Roger could not control his temper. "Mimi!" he screamed, "Just what in god's name do you think you are doing?"
Mimi opened her eyes in shock. Her male visitor also raised his head.
Now it was my turn to be shocked. "Benny?! What the hell are you doing!?"
Benny and Mimi stumbled over each other with excuses. I couldn't take it any more. "Quiet!" I yelled. "We need to sit down and hash this out like normal adults. Mimi and Benny—put some clothes on. Then join us in the living room. You have five minutes." With that, Roger and I turned and left the bedroom.
We sat on the couch and waited for Mimi and Benny to join us. They came and sat opposite us. We discussed everything. Mimi had been feeling neglected because Roger was always at work, and she was the one who had to be with the baby constantly, and clean the house, and she was the one who had to quit school. Benny had started coming over to have tea with her while the baby had her morning nap. Her shoulders were always sore, and her back aching. Benny had started innocently enough by giving her a back massage, and things just happened. Soon, they would get together every day, and before they knew it, passions would rise and clothes would be sloppily tossed away. This had been going on about a month. They both figured that the old romance had not dwindled, and wanted to try again. But at this point, Benny needed to divorce "Muffy" and Mimi needed to end her engagement. Neither of them had quite known how to break the news to Roger or "Muffy." Roger sat there, quietly, shocked at the news. He had explained that he had felt something wasn't right with he and Mimi, and he was spending hours at the television studio trying to figure out what to do. He hadn't planned on this happening like this, and he was having a hard time dealing with this. Mimi silently handed back the engagement ring she had been wearing. Benny was on the phone with his lawyer, getting papers drawn up so he could have them served to his soon to be ex wife.
"This is why you didn't want my last name on the birth certificate, isn't it?" Roger said softly to Mimi. "You knew that there was a chance that you would get back with Benny. How could you do this to me? After everything we have been through?"
Mimi couldn't even look him in the eye, let alone answer him. She crossed the room to Benny and linked her arm with his. That was enough for Roger. He walked into Harmony's room, and lifted the (finally!) sleeping baby. "This is my daughter, and this is my apartment. Get the hell out. NOW!"
Mimi didn't even try to argue. She knew that she had done something horrible. She also knew that she could stay at Benny's; his wife would go back into her parent's house. Without another word, they left.
Roger put the baby back in her crib, and we headed out to the kitchen to talk. He was shaking with rage, you could see the blaze of anger in his eyes.
"How could she do this to me?" he asked. "I thought she loved me, thought she was over Benny. We have a child together."
All I could do was rub his back and let him vent. I didn't have the answers, and I didn't know if we ever would have the answers. I knew he had to figure out his game plan. We knew he would not keep the apartment, he did not want anything from Benny, especially not for free, and he was making enough money to get a nicer apartment in a better neighborhood. That was his first line of action, he decided to get some papers and look for a new apartment. He wanted to be out as soon as possible. Next on the list was finding a nanny for Harmony. He still needed to work, and the baby was too young for day care. Mimi was not nursing her, so at least he did not need to worry about that. She was doing fine on formula, no allergies, thank god!
His biggest problem, however, was trying to forget about Mimi. He was still so in love with her, and he couldn't imagine her not being a part of his life. He knew he would have to work out who got the child with her, although we both felt that he was the better of the two parents. But that was something we could work out with lawyers. I told him I was not going to ask Joanne to represent him, because Mimi was still our friend as well, and I didn't think it was appropriate to have her choose sides. (Especially as she does not know what is going on yet.) I would ask Joanne for a reference for him when I got home that evening. We knew it was going to be a hard road ahead, especially since they were not married, for custody of Harmony.
Roger left me watching the baby, and he went to go get some newspapers for us to look through. He wanted a nice roomy two bedroom apartment, with a southern exposure and a fireplace, located in a nice area, with a bit of a backyard. Easy enough, right? He came back with several newspapers, two sub sandwiches, and two Diet Cokes. We scoured through the papers, circling potential places. We found five places that we decided to check out first thing in the morning. I told him I would go with him, it was Joanne's weekend to work at the firm anyway, so I was going to be up early no matter what. On that note, I decided to go home and get some sleep. I passed Danielle on the way. She never sleeps, that girl! She is always so chipper no matter the weather, or the situation. I had no idea how she did it! As soon as I arrived home, I fell asleep almost instantaneously. It had been a long day!
The next day I woke up extra early so I could have breakfast with Joanne. She was shocked, but pleased that I had gotten up to give her quality time. I wasn't exactly known for getting up before noon!
After Joanne left, I went to take a shower and change before I headed to Roger's.
When I got there, he was raring to go. He had Harmony in her carrier and he had his coat on. He had been up early calling various realtors and arranging times to see the apartments. Our first stop was a two story split level in Soho. It had his fireplace, and southern exposure, but it was on the small side. Plus it was farther away from where we worked. I encouraged him to not get discouraged, it was only the first place we saw. We checked out some more, we saw one in Greenwich Village that we both loved, which was more like a house than an apartment, it was two floors and it wasn't attached to any other buildings. We also saw a few high riser apartments that weren't anything special, and had none of the features Roger wanted. The Greenwich Village apartment had a nice back yard, and a swimming pool for the apartments to share. Roger's mind was made up.
"I will take the Greenwich Village apartment," Roger shouted, "It is the perfect place to raise my daughter."
He had carried a check on him just in case he wanted to make a deposit. He wrote out the check for the first, last, and security deposits. The realtor took the check, shook his hand, and told him to stop by the office tomorrow to sign the final paperwork. Roger was grinning from ear to ear.
"One task down, two more to go!" he practically sang out.
The next day was nanny interview day. We must have interviewed hundreds of nannies. None of them were fit to be Harmony's nanny. They all were too old, too inexperienced, or too ugly. We didn't want the baby to be scared when she was being watched!
We decided we would interview just five more nannies and then call it a day. The first four we rejected. By the last one, we were pretty much ready to call it quits. Then this cute, perky brunette walked in the room. "Am I too late for the interview?" She says, in a breathy tone that was just a trace British. Roger and I exchanged a look. In the end, it was he who decided to let her stay. Her name was Tracey, and she was thirty three years old. She was an au pair who had been in the states a good ten years, and had actually been with one family for the past ten years, but the youngest child is now twelve so they no longer needed her services. She was looking for a new job, preferably one with an infant so she could remain with one family for awhile. She had had her training in England, and had several certifications, as well as an outstanding reference from the family. We talked to her awhile, and decided she was perfect for the job! She was to start tomorrow at eight thirty and work until eight in the evening. It was a long day, but Harmony slept most of the time anyway. She would have a three month probation period.
Roger moved into his new apartment that following Saturday. Mark, Jes, Joanne, and I all helped him move. Everyone knew by now what had happened, and they were sympathetic and supportive. We all had been avoiding Mimi like the plague. We just weren't sure of what to say to her. Benny was certainly not a problem to ignore.
Things slowly returned to being semi-normal. Tracey was working out well, she had reached her three month probation and was doing remarkable. Harmony loved her, and Roger was loving the home made meals she had always prepared for him, piping hot, the second he walked in the door. She had moved into an apartment in the same complex, so if there was an emergency she would easily be at hand.
Roger had contacted a good lawyer that he had found through Joanne, and the custody battle was underway. I noticed Roger's mood was picking up. His eyes were less sunken in, and his cheeks were rosy again. This move had totally de-stressed him! Mark was still head over heels in love. Jes seemed like a nice girl, we hadn't had much time to get to know her, unfortunately. They pretty much were exclusive, and when he wasn't at work they were inseparable. I knew from the cat that ate the canary grin that was always plastered on his face that they were definitely enjoying their evenings!
As for Mimi and Benny, we had not heard a peep out of them since they had been discovered. Which was kind of nice, no drama. It felt kind of eerie, though, like a calm before the storm. We all knew more was to come, and that it was going to be a long battle.
Joanne and I decided we were going to hit up Roger for dinner, unannounced, to sample some of Tracey's delicious cooking. We headed over to his apartment, and we walked right in. (None of us bothered with locking our doors. You would think we would be more careful, living in New York!) We smelled a wonderful, garlicky, chicken smell. Roger was no where to be found, and Harmony was asleep in her bouncy. We headed to the kitchen, where we assumed we would find Tracey. Well, we found Tracey all right! She was with Roger, wrapped in a passionate embrace up against the fridge. Joanne and I looked at each other with a smile.
"Hey you guys! Get a room!" I yelled.
Roger and Tracey jumped a mile, turned bright red, and separated from each other as fast as they could.
"You guys scared us!" Roger said.
"Duh. That was kind of the point!" I said. "So what's going on?"
Roger and Tracey exchanged a look. Tracey began to speak. "Well, we have been spending an awful lot of time together lately, and one day sparks just flew. We have sort of been dating the past two months. We are taking it slow."
I looked at Roger, who was oblivious. I made a mental note to snag him later and talk with him.
We had a delicious dinner of salad, garlic bread, savory garlic-butter chicken, wild rice, and broccoli in a cheese sauce. Of course our ever-present bottle of wine, and a New York Style cheesecake for dessert. Tracey truly was a remarkable chef! After dinner, Joanne and Tracey went into the living room to play with the baby, and Roger and I went to clean up the kitchen. While we scrubbed dishes and tidied counters, I spoke with him.
"Have you guys talked about the HIV?" I asked.
"Yeah. She understands that I am taking medicine for HIV, and we have gone through counseling, still are actually, and we both understand that no matter what, when the time comes, we never have unprotected sex."
"And how do you feel about this?"
"Pretty good, actually. It's nice to have a woman who understands me, and my situation, and have her still want to be with me. She has been tested, and she is not HIV+. She is okay with using condoms, has never had a problem with it. She knows how Harmony had a twin who died who was born with HIV. She understands that if we were to ever want to have children and take that chance, she and the child would be a potential risk. She keeps the relationship cool, no drama. She respects me and gives me my space when I need it. I like her as a woman and a person. She keeps me sane. If she had not come into my life when she did, I am afraid that I may have gone back and found my old dealer and headed down the horrible path I used to travel on. But Tracey has saved me from all that."
With our conversation all set and the kitchen all clean, we headed into the living room to catch up with Joanne and Tracey. From the looks of the hushed conversations, we gathered they were having the same conversation we were. They looked at us, and Joanne shut up. Tracey jumped up 2 give Roger a kiss.
"So what were you guys talking about while we were cleaning?" he asked her.
She gave him a crafty grin, and said, "I imagine the same thing you were talking about in the kitchen."
"Us?" he asked.
"You got it."
"Did you explain…?"
"Yes. Did you?"
"Yes."
Roger turned to us with a breath of relief. "So now everyone is on the same page," he said.
Joanne spoke this time. "We think it is a good, healthy idea to engage in dating and all related activities. As long as you guys are responsible and take all the proper precautions, I don't see any reason as to why this won't work out long term for you. And if it gets serious enough where you get married and you want children, well, that's what doctors are for. They can monitor the pregnancy and prescribe medicines to help lower the risk of infection."
The rest of the evening we played trivia games and laughed and talked. Tracey really did seem to be a good match for him!
It was nice to be back at work with Roger and Mark both in good moods! I was looking forward to work again! The show was still a huge success, and our rates were still high. Earlier today, I had spoken to my boss about inventing a small role on the show for Danielle. I told him she was an aspiring actress, who had a lot of talent and was very versatile. He said he would see what he could do. He said he would give her an audition on Monday at three. I could hardly wait to tell her! I flew home after work ended to tell Danielle the good news! She was ecstatic!! She was going to come to my apartment the night before to shower and change. She could hardly wait! Too bad it was only Wednesday!
On Friday I arrive home after work, and find a court summons has been sent for me. I was requested to be a witness, due to the fact that I was the lucky person who happened to walk in with Roger that day and catch Mimi and Benny in the act. The court date was set for June 6th, two months from today. What a wonderful start to my weekend!
Joanne was sympathetic, but she also took a legal standpoint, and saw it as a way to help Roger out. She also pointed out that I was already aware that I was a witness, so I should have been anticipating the summons to be a witness. She had a point, but it still sucked. Messy as the situation was, and as difficult as it was to pit friend against friend. I knew she was right, in the long run. I also knew that my loyalty was to Roger over Mimi, as we had known each other for years, and were even roommates before. Mimi I had only known for about a year and a half.
As the dreaded date approached, I grew more nervous. Joanne pecked around me like a mother hen.
"Wear your sharp suit, the black one, with a pink tank top underneath. Business, yet feminine. Don't even THINK about wearing those Doc Martins under those pants!"
"But…"
"Trust me. You are to wear your sling back pumps."
"Those are so ugly!"
"Oh well. You need to look professional! Ugly shoes help you appear to be professional."
"I am going to be so uncomfortable and so not myself." I grumbled to her.
"That's what happens when you are in the business world."
"Oh yeah? I seem to remember an incident where you had to go to a hearing for your mother last year, and you wore YOUR Doc Martins. And, if my memory serves me correctly, no bra! Why should I be so uncomfortable?"
"That was an entirely different scenario. I was just there to listen and observe. I wasn't there to be on a witness stand, no one was paying attention to me. I was supporting my mother. This case, you are appearing in front of everyone. It is a different situation entirely."
I was not happy, but I understood where she was coming from.
The day came. I was dressed stiffly in my suit and pumps. My hair was just down. I went to the courtroom to sit with Joanne until they needed me. We sat there all morning, first Mimi testified, then Roger. Mimi stated that she had been unhappy since the baby was born, Roger was never home, and things just sort of happened with Benny.
The judge questioned her about her activities with Benny that had occurred in the past. She did admit that her and Benny had been lovers, but stated that for that past year and a half it had been no one but Roger.
When Roger spoke, he did confirm what Mimi had said, that things had been rough since the baby was born, and that both of them have been unhappy. He told of how he'd stay late after work and play his guitar and try to write songs as his method of coping with the stress. He stated that he had had suspicions of Mimi cheating, and left work early one day to see if they were accurate. That's how he found her in their bedroom.
When the judge asked him if he had ever cheated, on Mimi or anyone, he flat out told him no. He stated that he would never cheat on anyone, never has never will. The judge spoke to Benny as well, and then I was called up.
They made me swear the whole truth, nothing but the truth, blah blah blah. Then they proceeded to keep me there for a half hour, asking questions. I answered each question truthfully, yes I was with Roger when Mimi and Benny were caught, yes I knew Benny had dated Mimi, yes I knew Mimi had cheated on Roger with Benny in the past. Finally, they let me step down. The judge announced a recess until tomorrow to deliberate on the decision. We were all to come back again the following day at 9 am sharp. Great. Now I had to find another "professional" outfit to wear.
Joanne and I left the courtroom. We were both tired and hungry, and looking forward to indulging ourselves in big juicy hamburgers from our favorite hamburger place, and thick steak fries, and also some Ben and Jerry's later on. Lemon sorbet for me, Chunky Monkey for Joanne. We were having a lazy night, no gourmet cooking for me tonight!
The next day, we get up bright and early again. We arrive at the courthouse with fifteen minutes to spare. We sit in the courtroom to listen to the judge make his call.
He begins." As everyone present knows, this case is Davis vs. Marquez, for custody of their daughter Harmony Angel, age six months. Davis claims that Marquez is an unfit mother because she has no income of her own and no means to support the child.
Davis also mentioned that Marquez was having premarital relations with one Benjamin Coffin III while the child was left in her crib unattended, which was confirmed by witness Maureen Johnson. Marquez' only true testimony against Davis was that Davis worked long hours, thus deeming him unfit to raise a child properly. Is this accurate information as was portrayed to the court?"
Everyone mentioned in the above dissertation nodded their heads.
The judge continues.
"Based on the remarks that have been made and the deliberation that has occurred, we have decided to rule in the favor of the father, Roger Davis, as Mimi Marquez is deemed unfit to be a mother. Should Marquez want visiting rights, she will work that out with her counselor. This court is adjourned."
Joanne and I rushed to give Roger hugs, and he went to pick up his daughter, his eyes dazed at what just happened. Tracey was there to give him hugs and kisses as well. We all decided we would call Mark and Jes and invite them to come out with us to celebrate.
Mimi and Benny stormed out of the courtroom in a rage. We never heard from them again. Rumor had it that they had left New York and were living in one of the Midwestern states, raising cattle and making a decent living as farmers. Such a change from the somewhat exotic stripper life Mimi had lead, and the high-profile business job Benny had held. I guess they could not deal with seeing us anymore, since this was the second, and more serious, time they had hurt Roger, and we weren't taking that lightly.
On our way back home from the courthouse, we passed Danielle. She was bubbly as always, and we told her the good news.
"That's great!" she squealed as she gave me a hug. Joanne in the meantime was giving me evil glares. Here we go again. Joanne and I kept walking to our apartment. Joanne kept up the glare.
"Don't give me that face" I said to her.
She kept glaring at me.
"What is your deal?"
"You know damn well what my deal is. How come she was all up in your game like that and you didn't say anything? Is she your new girlfriend?"
"Pookie, we have been through this. You are the ONLY girl for me. Sometimes you can be TOO MUCH girl for me. You know I have mended my straying ways! Besides, she is straight."
"You sure? Because she damn don't look straight to me hugging you all up like that."
"She is. She thinks Roger is hot. She is envious of Tracey. You have nothing to worry about."
I could tell she was trying hard to not smile. It didn't work, though. She busted out in a grin.
"Oh baby, I'm so sorry I'm so jealous," she said. "I don't mean to be, I TRY not to be, but I just can't help it!!!"
"Don't worry about it," I said, "I like to know I'm cared about. Plus, the jealousy is hot, making you a little sexy spitfire!"
She gave me a sly grin. "You want to see how sexy this spitfire can be?"
"OH HELL YEAH I DO!" I said. We went upstairs to our apartment and spent the next couple of hours making up. After our make-up session, we showered and got dressed to go down to the celebration. We grabbed Danielle and made her come with us. She was dressed nice again, and was clean scrubbed. It seemed a little odd that she was dressed so nice, when she had no place to store clothes. I asked her about that as we walked.
"So Danielle," I said. "I was wondering, where do you keep your clothes? And where do you shower?" Like I said, I was never the master of tact!
She told me that she was able to use the showers at the gym early in the morning, and that she had worked out a deal with the area Laundromat so she could wash a set of clothes for free each day and wear fresh ones. Pretty decent set up, if you ask me; she has made friends with the entire neighborhood.
We head into the quaint Italian café where we were celebrating Roger's victory. Roger, Tracey, Harmony, Mark, Jes, and Collins are all there waiting for us. There was a violin quartet playing "The Suite from Water Music" in the background. Not really Italian, but it seemed to work in this place. We all ordered dinner, and discussed the win.
Collins seemed to be the only one out of place, everyone else was broken down by couple. I went over to him. He looked sad. Worn out. And not to mention, awfully old. He was the eldest of our little group, at almost 37 years old. I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. None of us had seen him in awhile, and we needed to catch up. He told me about work, and how tired he had been lately due to his HIV. He missed Angel still so terribly, and he had decided he was no longer going to stay in New York,
"It was her dream to go to Santa Fe. We talked about opening up a restaurant together. I am finishing up the semester here, and I am leaving in August. I have already been out several times to check the surroundings and look at properties. I made a down payment on a restaurant, and paid my first, last, and security on an apartment. New York has nothing to offer me anymore, and I know my time is limited. My mind is made up. I am leaving. August 15th is my leaving date. I have about a month and a half left. That is why you guys haven't heard from me in awhile."
He let me soak that all in. After a long pause, I spoke.
"You seem to be sure of this," I said. It was not a question, but a statement.
"I am. One hundred percent. I was meant to open a restaurant. I even have a name picked out. Collins' Angel."
"That's a pretty name," I told him.
"Thanks. It reminds me of her."
"When are you going to tell the others?"
"Soon. I don't want to ruin Roger's night."
"Understandable."
Shortly after that, I gave him another hug and a kiss on the cheek and got up to mingle with other friends. I promised we would visit him often, as often as we could.
Danielle was at the head of the table, taking in all the action. She seemed to never be without a drink. I assumed the bartender was picking up the tab, because no one seemed to be buying for her. It seemed kind of strange to me. I decided I would watch her closely. Everyone else seemed to be having a great time. We were all happy for Roger's victory. We celebrated until three that morning.
The next day began with me deciding to stalk Danielle, and see exactly what she did all day. After all, it was June. The show was ending to go on hiatus in a couple weeks anyway, so one day of not being there wouldn't hurt me! I left my house at the same time I leave every day, said hi to Danielle, and strolled down the street towards work. Joanne had left already as well. When I was safely out of view, I turned down the street and headed back toward my apartment to see what she did. I stole in through the back and climbed the stairs quietly. I crept to a window where I could get a good view of Danielle. For awhile, she just stayed there, feeding the cats and birds, and singing. About two hours of this(and looking at how few people tossed her money, I knew she wasn't buying her drinks from the other night with the change she had acquired!) I was bored. She appeared to do exactly what I had always seen her do. Feed birds and cats, and sing, wearing her rags. I stretched and yawned. Stalking was tiring work! I rested my head on the sill and tried to keep my eyes from closing. It was about three or four in the afternoon, and she had not moved. I debated on going to make something to eat. Suddenly, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Danielle was getting up! I watched her get up and head down the street. I flew down the stairs to follow her. I kept a safe distance, dodging in and around people. Plus, I was incognito. I watched as she walked down the street and headed into an upscale boutique. I was thoroughly confused, as I knew she could not afford to purchase anything from this store. I saw her go in…and then she went into the back. Now, I was perplexed.
When she emerged from the back room, she was fresh faced and shiny…like she had been at the party. She walked right over to the most expensive rack and started picking through it. I watched, flabbergasted from my hiding spot. When she had picked out several high-priced items, she went to try them on. I stayed in my spot. She came out a few minutes later, with the stack of clothes. She marched right over to the counter with the pile and the cashier began to scan them.
"That will be one thousand five hundred dollars and twenty two cents," the bored cashier told her.
Without batting an eyelash, Danielle whipped out a platinum credit card and presented it to the cashier.
"These will look awesome when I go to the clubs!" an overenthusiastic Danielle squealed.
"I'm sure." the cashier rolled her eyes and popped the bubble she had blown with her gum. She began to re-work the gum back into primo bubble-blowing mode.
Clubs? New clothes? What's going on here? She is supposed to be homeless. These are the thoughts that were going through my head. What exactly is this girl's deal? I had to find out as I strode to the front with a tee shirt in hand. I acted all casual as I lay my purchase on the counter and dug into my purse for my wallet. Danielle was oblivious to me, and kept babbling to the cashier. I finally accidentally-on-purpose bump into her.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed.
She turned to look at me, her lips forming the beginnings of the words "that's ok" when her eyes glimmered over in recognition. Her mouth hung open, frozen in position.
When she recovered from the initial shock, she asked me what I was doing there.
"Shopping," I replied. "This is my favorite boutique."
"But you had gone to work. I saw you leave! You're not due back until six this evening!"
"Ehh, I cut out early. We weren't working on my scenes, and I decided to go enjoy the day." I wasn't about to tell her that I had skipped work to see what she was up to!
I asked her what she was doing there. I was willing to bet a passerby did not drop off that platinum credit card and tell her to have her way with it!
Her eyes darted from side to side, as if someone was going to help her out of this sticky situation. Sure enough, the manager of the store, Miranda, came over to assess the situation.
"Miss Maureen, Miss Danielle, is there anything I can be of assistance with over here?" Miranda looked at us anxiously.
"No, Miranda, I'm all set," I say to her.
"Actually, Miranda, could you please see that my car is ready? I'm running late to my spa appointment."
"Certainly, Miss Danielle. I'll see to that right away. And it is so good to see you back in our establishment again! It has been so long!" Miranda hustled off.
"Miss Danielle? Car? Spa appointment? What is your deal? I thought you were homeless!!!"
"Okay. You caught me. I'm not really homeless. I was trying to embrace a roll as a homeless character for a movie I am starring in about a homeless person who gets discovered and ends up famous for her singing. I am Danielle De Marco."
And as soon as she said that, I realized that she was right! I had always pondered who she looked like, and as soon as she had said it, it clicked. She was the famous singer/songwriter turned actress(like they all do!) Danielle De Marco that was featured on every billboard in New York!
Now it was my turn to squeal.
"Oh my god, I can't believe I didn't recognize you!!! I thought you had looked vaguely familiar but I wasn't sure! And we became friends and you never told me! How come you decided to go shopping today?"
"Simple. My year was up. I could go back to living the normal life I was accustomed to again."
"And you really lived on the streets all that time? You never left? You really ate tuna every day? Where did you sleep? What about the bathroom?" I was full of questions.
She laughed at my curiosity.
"Yes, I lived on the streets. I never left. I ate tuna every day with the coins I collected. Well, I started eating more when I met you and you started sneakily giving me twenties! I slept on the stairs. The bathroom it depended. If I had to pee it would most likely have been right there on the stairs. Anything else, I could go to the Y and use their bathroom. I see the look on your face, you are wondering why I didn't just always go to the Y. And I don't blame you for asking. It seems gross to pee on the stairs. Truth is, it was far to run to the Y just to pee. And I wanted to get a full flavor of what it was like to be homeless. They all don't have the luxury of going to the Y for showers and bathroom breaks."
The look on my face was unconvinced. "I don't think I would go THAT far to embrace any role!!! I would still need the privacy of my own bathroom! You must be really dedicated! Then again, I only work on a sitcom that takes place in a house and office and buildings with bathrooms so I wouldn't have to become that involved!"
She laughed again at me. "I had to document everything I did for the writers and makeup artists, to make everything look legit. It wasn't that bad. Come on, let's go to the set. I'll show you around."
Sounded good to me, a sneak preview of a new movie? I was there! We linked arms and headed out of the boutique into her waiting car. We rode to the set where she introduced me to her director, her makeup artist, and her designer. She showed me various sets that mirrored New York streets exactly. It was a fun afternoon!
Afterwards we grabbed dinner at the Plaza and she had her car take me back to my apartment. She lived on the Upper East Side in a penthouse suite, so I was on the way to her place. She promised we would keep in touch and visit often. She wanted to take me on a tour of her penthouse. I laughed when she said that, and teased her because I had just seen that recent episode of her "crib" on MTV Cribs. She rolled her eyes and told me that was all her publicists' doing.
"Oh, so the indoor swimming pool, hot tub, indoor tennis court, 72 inch flat screen HD plasma television and movie screening room, and personal aquarium were, in actuality, super imposed in?" I teased.
"No, they were real. I just never wanted to do the gig. I don't like to appear show-offy. I want people to see me as real. I'll definitely show you it sometime in the near future though!"
With that I left the car. It had been the most glorious day I had had in a long time!
Two weeks later we had our wrap up show before we went on hiatus. We had completed one whole season! We had a wrap party that lasted well into the night, and they presented us with gold watches on chains for Roger and Mark, and a gold locket for me, that read, "Congratulations, Cast of 'Directing Our Lives' Season One!"
After the party, Roger, Mark, and I sat around discussing our plans for the upcoming two months of freedom. Mark began.
"Well, as you guys know, Jes is in a band. Her band has just accepted a year long tour of the United States, Canada, and Europe. They are starting in Europe and ending with a finale in New York. I decided I would tour with her for the next two months, because after that we don't know when we will see each other until she gets back. We are leaving in two days for Italy."
Roger and I were shocked. "Wow, Mark, that's not much notice!" I exclaimed.
"I know. But it was something I had just decided I was going to do. I can afford to go, and I don't have to leave my girlfriend."
"Good luck, man," Roger said.
"Yeah, good luck Mark!" I said.
Roger was up next. "Tracey and I have been getting along very well. We have been seeing each other for about seven months now. She is the one, I am sure of it. I am proposing to her tomorrow, at Central Park on a horse and carriage ride, as the sun begins to set, when it is all pink and purple. I got her a single, perfect diamond solitaire. It is two and a half carats. It's not as ornate as the one for Mimi but it is gorgeous and perfect for Tracey. She will love it. Want to see it?"
"Yes!" we both said.
He pulled the ring out of his pocket and presented it to us. It was as gorgeous as he had said. A Leo Diamond. Perfect clarity, color, cut, and carat in a platinum setting with the tiniest embellishments of cut diamonds in the sides of the open-detail band. We both exclaimed over the ring and agreed she would love it. Roger turned to Mark.
"The wedding will be during the first weekend in September. That was something we had talked about before, we both wanted a September wedding. Would you be back by then?"
"I should be, don't we start shooting the second Monday in September?"
"Yes, we do. Good, I'm glad. You know you are the only guy I want to be my best man. I couldn't do this without you!"
"Of course Roger, I'd be honored!"
"Roger, are you and Tracey planning on staying in the City once you are married?" I asked him.
"Actually, no. Harmony is getting older, and she will be crawling, walking, and running all over the place. We were already tossing around the idea of moving to Connecticut and buying an actual house with an enclosed backyard with lush, green grass, big enough for Harmony to play in. We were going to set up a play yard and jungle gym set for her. That way, I can commute to work and I know my daughter and wife-to-be are safe at home. Away from the noise and crime of the city. We are going to become a nice, suburban family!"
"That truly sounds great, Roger," I said.
They both turned to look at me. "What about you, Maureen? What are you and Joanne up to this summer?"
"Nothing really. Joanne is working a lot. We may take a mini vacation to California to watch a movie being made and to tour Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo. That would be nice and relaxing. Of course, we would hit up Rodeo Drive and Hollywood as well. We can stay with Danielle out there. Or we may go to Hawaii. Or we may come visit you and Jes on tour, Mark."
They both stared at me. "Danielle?"
Oh. I had failed to mention that Danielle was actually not homeless. I filled them in on what I had discovered, and how she had become a new best friend. They were both shocked and amazed. I also told them that Joanne and I were going to help Collins pack when the time came in August, and we were going to take some time out to help him get established in Santa Fe. Roger also stated that he would help us help Collins move. He was hoping to have bought his house by then as well, So we would all help him move, too.
"Wow, it sounds like everyone has interesting plans for the summer!" I said. They agreed. We soon parted to go home shortly after that.
Two days later, Joanne, Roger, Tracey, Harmony, Collins, Danielle, and I went to La Guardia Airport to see Jes and Mark off for Italy. They had lucked out and gotten a non-stop flight to Italy. The instruments were boarded carefully underneath the plane. We stood with them and hugged them until they had to board. Then we waited and watched the plane take off, until it was a tiny silver speck in the sky. We left the airport a much quieter group than we had been when we had arrived. They had promised to call when they arrived, and send emails, of course. Danielle noticed the engagement ring on Tracey's left hand, and pronounced her congratulations. We decided to take them out as a celebration. That livened the mood a bit. We went down to the good old Life Café and had a couple of drinks, desserts, and appetizers. They told us how their house hunting was officially beginning tomorrow, in Stamford, CT. Roger didn't care how he got to work, he had a personal limousine driver and helicopter access if need be. We all wished them luck.
The summer for me was pretty much what I said it was going to be. A run-of-the-mill summer at home, relaxing. Enjoying life. Joanne and I did take those trips out to California, and Hawaii, and Italy. We had a rocking time in Italy, watching Jes perform with her band, and eating authentic pasta dishes. California was nice, with Danielle showing us the sites. We ate at the Brown Derby. Hawaii was very peaceful and pretty, and we did not want to leave!
Finally, it was the week before Collins was about to move. Joanne, Roger, and I spent the entire week helping Collins pack up everything carefully, in neatly labeled boxes so he would know what to unpack and where to put things. That weekend, the moving men were coming on Friday. We were flying down on Sunday. That gave the moving men enough time to drive down there.
The moving men arrived right on time—always a good sign—and we got to work packing up the van. It took two hours to move all the boxes, and another hour to move all the furniture. The moving men took off, and assured us they would be in Santa Fe by three in the afternoon on Sunday. It was a thirty-hour drive, and that gave us enough time to get settled in.
We boarded our plane @ six am on August 11th. We were leaving from La Guardia, and had a stop over to change planes in Houston, TX, We had a four-hour layover, which was enough time to let us get off the plane, stretch our legs, and get something to eat. We boarded the flight in Houston at twelve thirty pm, and that was non-stop to the Albuquerque Airport. We arrived in Albuquerque at one thirty-five pm. That was plenty of time for us to get our rental car and drive the hour from Albuquerque International Sunport to arrive at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, that we were staying in in Santa Fe. Collins had purchased a house, but obviously there was no furniture in it as of yet, so we had no place to sleep. He had recommended this hotel, as he had made many trips in the past months to get to Santa Fe and check out accommodations and he had said this was the best. We grabbed our bags and headed to get our car. We had rented a mid size SUV.
Roger decided to drive, as he also was pretty familiar with Santa Fe, having lived there for a span of time. We arrived at the hotel at two thirty, which was excellent timing. We unpacked our bags, Joanne and I had one room, Collins and Roger the other. Joanne and I noted the pool and spa that we were definitely going to enjoy during our stay!
We piled back into the SUV, and Collins took over the driving, so we could get to his house. We arrived at the house in record time. The moving men had just arrived. We started to unpack. We had all the boxes and the furniture arranged in the house in about four hours. The moving men left, and Joanne and I found the box of cleaning supplies and started to give the house a thorough cleaning job, as the boys started opening boxes and placing the furniture that wasn't already placed accordingly by the moving men.
We started with the kitchen, so we could get the dishes and pans straightened out. Then we hit the bathrooms, the bedrooms, and the living room. Once everything was sparkling, we started to unpack. Roger and Collins at this point had opened ever box and placed them in each room. It took us the next several hours to organize everything and stack the empty boxes in the basement. Collins whipped out his cell phone to order pizza and soda and have it delivered to us. His electricity was already on, as well as his phone line, and his cable was just waiting for his television.
It took us to the early morning hours, but everything got straightened out and placed the way he wanted it. Collins decided he would stay in house, and we headed back to the hotel, because he did not have any guest rooms.
The next day, Joanne and I got up early to have breakfast and soak in the hot tub before we went to Collins' house. We went downstairs in our robes and grabbed muffins, bagels, donuts, coffee, and juice. We ate our breakfast while lounging on our chairs under the sun in the courtyard. After that, we stepped out of our robes and into the pool for a few laps. It was nice to have a pool specifically set up to do laps. We swam for about an hour, and then we climbed out of the pool to soak in the out door hot tub. We knew Roger was going to get a few rounds of golf in before we all met up at noon to see Collins.
Joanne and I headed out of the hot tub at about eleven, and went back to our room. She started to run the shower, and I started to strip out of my wet bathing suit. She was already naked, and was ready to step into the shower. She looked so beautiful, with water droplets glistening off her skin from her wet hair dripping onto her shoulder, I could hardly resist. I allowed her to climb in the tub, and draw the curtain. She had always had issues with taking a shower together. We had never done that in all the time we had been together. She had no issues to brushing her teeth or hair while I sat on the toilet, but for whatever reason she was hung up on a shower for two. But now, I couldn't take it. I let her soap up and rinse off, the entire time watching her shadow in the shower. Five minutes later, I rose, naked, from the closed toilet lid, and slowly pulled the curtain back. I climbed into the tub to stand behind her, and began rubbing her back. She looked at me in shock, but I silenced her with a powerful kiss, and she relented and allowed me to touch her body. I ran my hand over her smooth, wet skin, and she didn't make so much a peep. She allowed me to wash her hair for her, and she let me use the vanilla-scented shower gel on the scrubby, which I ran in delicate circles all over her body. Then she got adventurous and did the same to me. After that, she never had any issues with a shower a deux!
It was a good thing we had left the pool area at eleven. We did not step out of the shower until eleven forty five. We barely had enough time to throw on clothes before Roger was knocking on our door. I asked how is round of golf was. He said it was relaxing, and it was good to hit the ball around again. Golf had always been a passion of his since he was a kid. Then he asked what we had been up to.
"Oh you know. Breakfast, a swim, and the hot tub." I replied with a giggle and a wink at Joanne.
Roger caught us looking at each other. "You guys seem awfully giddy, anything else happen?" he asked, with interest that every male shows when they think two females have gotten together.
"Well lets just say, Joanne is no longer opposed to a shower for two!" I exploded into laughter with Joanne.
Roger looked at us amused. "Joanne, I knew you would not be able to resist her advances for that for too long! She has always loved the shower for two idea!"
Joanne beamed and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "And I can't think of anyone better to inaugurate me into the world of the double shower!"
"Let's get going to Collins!" Roger chuckled.
We spent the next week setting up Collins' Angel. It was a nice restaurant. He had set it up old fashioned style, and would serve traditional foods, everything from sandwiches and chips to full dinners like chicken parm. He also was going to have a breakfast menu. His décor was pink, black, and white checks, 50's diner style. He even had a jukebox in the corner that played a range of songs, from 50's and 60's to the sounds of Today's Hottest Artists. Something for everyone's taste! He had light boxes and light up signs tastefully set up all over the restaurant, with memorabilia from old TV shows and movies and sports, as well as old toys and clothes hanging all over the restaurant, kind of like Planet Hollywood style. He also included a large, framed photo of Mark, Roger, Mimi, Benny, Joanne, himself, Angel, and I, as part of his décor. Over the photo was a hand made sign that said, "No Day But Today." That made us reminisce!
We stayed for his grand opening, and it was a smash!! He could not fit another person in the seats! Everyone gave rave reviews, and restaurant critics stumbled over each other to give the best write ups! We could not stay to enjoy the success, because our plane was leaving the next day at one fifty-five in the afternoon. So we had to be up early and at the airport by eleven. We had to leave the hotel by nine, to make the hour drive, return the car, and check our luggage. We all hugged Collins good bye at the gate, and he assured us he would be back in two weeks to see Roger get married. He stated that he never could miss the wedding of one of his best friends!
Again, we could not get a non-stop flight, so we were going to be arriving back in good old Houston, TX, at five pm, for about two hours this time, and then we would be boarding at six fifty-nine pm to head back to La Guardia, where we would arrive at eleven twenty-two pm. What a long day!
The next two weeks were insanely busy, we were helping Roger and Tracey with the final wedding arrangements—setting up the chairs and the tent for the outdoor wedding they were going to have at The Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. They had specially requested The Botanical Gardens to be reserved for their special day. That meant that anyone who was not a member of the wedding party or invited guest was not allowed to roam The Gardens. That would make for a lot of unhappy tourists!
Finally the big day was here! They were getting married under a beautiful archway entwined with pink-and-white roses that were set up on a white carpet in the center of The Gardens, with a four-piece string quartet tastefully playing as Tracey and her bridesmaids walked in. Too bad Harmony was still too little to be a flower girl! Joanne and I, and Danielle and Jes were Tracey's bridesmaids. We wore a lavender sundress, and had white baby roses in our hair. Roger's groomsmen were Mark and Collins, of course, and he had two more guys he stayed close to from back when he had his band days. It was a beautiful day, and a lovely ceremony. The reception was a two-parter, after the wedding guests were allowed to walk the beautiful Gardens, eat the wonderful meal that was planned especially by Tracey, (Not cooked by her though. Roger refused to let her lift a finger on their big day!) dance, and relax. When it grew darker, guests were being taken by limousine to an evening cruise, they had rented the sleekest luxury cruise ship New York City had to offer, The New York City Harbor Lights Cruise! Normally, it was a two hour cruise, but Roger and Tracey had paid to rent the boat out for the entire night, returning to the docks at about seven in the morning. We were due on the boat by eight pm. We arrived at the dock to see a gorgeous cruise ship adorned with many twinkling tiny white lights. A big banner that read, "Congratulations Roger and Tracey" hung across the cabin on the ship's top deck. Complimentary alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages were available in the bottom enclosed deck, as well as various desserts and the wedding cake. The whole ship was a dance floor on water, as music pumped through the speakers on every deck. We danced the night away in style!
Roger and Tracey were going to honeymoon in Tahiti. We were going to take the baby while they spent the next two weeks relaxing and enjoying life. When they came back, they were all set to move into their house. They found a nice big house with plenty of land and an in-ground pool in Astoria, New York, that was close enough for Roger's commute, and Harmony's freedom to explore.
The show was starting back up, luckily we had filmed enough new season episodes at the end of last season to cover the fact that Roger was away (Even though all the magazines had spilled that Roger got married over the break! Damn paparazzi!)
Mark was back, and seemed a bit lost without Jes, but they spoke every day, and she was doing well. She was due back in the states in seven months, and he knew he was going to fly wherever she was on the weekends, until she got back to New York. They eventually got married, and they have now been together officially for twelve years, and are still going strong.
Collins was doing well in Santa Fe, we talked often, and he had gotten a lot of his spirit back. The move was doing well for him! He said it made him feel like he was closer to Angel in that sense. He lived the rest of his days in Santa Fe, working in his restaurant until he died, nine years later. He died, appropriately, on the day Angel had died ten years earlier. We all went down there for the funeral, and at the wake we had noticed he had died with a smile on his face. We knew he was at peace and with Angel at last!
Roger and Tracey were married for the next twenty years. Unfortunately, Roger's HIV turned into full blown AIDS, and he died at forty-five years old. They had never had another child, as Roger was too careful and did not want to infect Tracey. When he died, he had had it arranged that Tracey and Harmony would be taken care of. Harmony, at twenty-one years old now, was beautiful. She had her mother's hair with her father's blue eyes. She was very exotic looking, and intelligent. She had just graduated from Julliard, as a dance major, with a minor in vocal. She certainly was a good mix of her parents!
We had finally gotten wind of Mimi and Benny. They had ended up together, a bickering couple that were never happy. Mimi lived to be sixty five years old, before she too succumbed to AIDS. Benny immediately picked back up with trying to get women right after she died, even though he was seventy! We never told them that we knew what was going on with them, and they never contacted us either. We only knew because Danielle(who turned out to be an awesome friend!) had a mutual friend who knew them and told her, and she in turn told us.
Danielle has continued in her charmed life, going from songwriter/singer to actress to director. She has made over forty feature films, and has acted in over one hundred movies. She eventually married her associate producer, and they raised a family of four children (who of course immediately went into the movie star life, and started appearing in children's films pretty much from birth!) She also has four puppies. She has moved from her penthouse into a large house on Staten Island, quite near Tracey and Harmony.
As far as Joanne and I? We did eventually get married, and we adopted several children. We moved into Danielle's old penthouse, and we stayed there. Nothing too exciting happened with us. After the show cancelled eight years later, we had more than enough to live on. Joanne could have retired as well, but she chose to work until she was what she felt "proper retirement age." She retired at fifty-five! We have traveled all over the world! We have seen every major site that there is to see. We have been to the Louvre, the Great Pyramids, the Amazon, the Wall of China…you name it!
While some of my friends have drifted away, passed away, moved away, and some have stayed nearby, I have learned that you never forget them. Friends are staples in your life. You grow with them, and learn from them, and even if you lose contact with them or disagree with them, you never forget them and the time they spent with you. My friends and I, we have been through hell and back, good times, bad times, and everything in between. We have seen more than our fair share of death and sadness, and well as births, adoptions, and happiness. We sometimes wonder why we had been dealt the hand we had, but we know we would not have been given anything we could not handle either individually or as a group. And that is what is key about life. Life goes on, people come, people go, but you are always surrounded by people who can make your life that much better. I know Angel inspired that saying, and we have always been eternally grateful for her support and friendship, the short time she was here. It was nice to always have the support and love of friends. Even when we were poor, practically living in the streets, barely affording to feed ourselves, the thing we could always rely on was our friendships, and that is what got us through the struggles. None of us ever forgot the friendships we had made, and the people who had been there for us. That is what made us rich, non-monetary rich, but at the same time richer than those without friends. And that was the most precious memory to hold onto, for life. Friendships. That's what got me through my life. I think back to that framed photo and slogan in Collins' restaurant. "No Day But Today." And I can't help but think, that that is exactly how everyone should take life. Because you may only have today. And if you take it for granted, you may not have it anymore.
New Journeys and Adventures in Our Lives
It's been a year since Joanne and I found Mimi almost freezing to death in the park, and brought her to Mark and Roger's place for help. I think we all learned a lot that day, about friendships, and taking each day as a gift. Mimi is doing much better now. Roger has not left her side since her recovery. They have moved back into her old apartment in Benny's building, and she has gotten clean. Now she is working on staying clean, and Benny agreed to pay for her to go to college, so she is a full-time dance major at NYU.
Roger and Mark have agreed to go in on doing the studio with Benny, on one condition: he leaves the Tent Cities alone. Benny agreed, and they are revamping up the apartment house, as well as the one next door that Benny purchased just for this. Roger and Mimi live in the top apartment in one building, and Mark and Collins live in the top apartment in the other building. Eventually, they will become penthouse suites for them, and the buildings will be combined as one large building. Ideas have been laid, and work is in progress! Benny has progressed in his thinking, has become more open minded. There is a crazy bag/cat/bird lady who sits on the stairs of Benny's apartment building. She sits there all day and all night, she's dirty and grimy, and all she does is feed pigeons and cats, and sing to herself. She doesn't bother anyone, but it's still a shocker that Benny would allow her to sit on his stoop all day and night! I had already decided that I was going to try to befriend her.
Benny is still with "Muffy," but he is back to almost being the same Benny we all became friends with. As for Joanne and I, we are getting along much better, we still have some arguments about various men and women checking me out, but she is realizing that I am with her, and I only want to be with her. We are living in her apartment, mid town, and she is still working in the legal field. Mark, Roger, and I have collaborated on a project, where Mark directs, Roger writes the music, and I perform. We do mostly local performances, but the pay is decent, and we are able to save most of the money. Collins is working again as well, not at NYU but at NYC. He was offered a professor job, teaching computer courses to incoming freshmen. The ATM he had wired at the Food Emporium has been removed. The machine broke down a few weeks ago, and when they went to repair it, realized it had been hardwired to give cash to any person who had a certain code. Well, they couldn't have that now, could they! So our flow on the side was taken away. Oh well, it was a nice run while we had it!
We all still miss Angel immensely, and make it a point as a group to visit her grave once a month. After all, if it wasn't for her, we never would have learned how important each day is, and how special every friendship, that should not be taken for granted.
It's a Monday. Amazing how hard it is to get up and go to work-even when you're employer is yourself. I'm supposed to meet Mark and Roger at Roger's loft, as it is bigger, for rehearsal at 9 am sharp. I'm running late. I'm always running late. Luckily, they have patience with me. Today we are supposed to rework a segment of our newest show, "A Woman of Strength." I'm supposed to learn a new dance (courtesy of Mimi) that is supposed to portray me as, well, the title. I arrive at the loft, and much to my surprise, Mr. Hot-Shot director Mark is actually running late himself! Whew! For once it's not just me!
I grab a cup of coffee and start up a conversation with Roger and Mimi.
A half hour later, Mark rushes in, breathless and excited. So excited I forgot to make fun of him for being late for once in his life. He starts telling us about an interview he had just had. What we can get out of the conversation is that he had received a phone call pertaining to us, and performing on live TV. Televised on national television, for everyone to see!!! We all start chattering excitedly, and of course decide to go for it. I'm not paying much attention until I hear Mark say, "And that includes you , Maureen." What was he going on about now? Ahh. Attendance. Apparently now that we all have real jobs, I am no longer allowed to be late. Such a stickler. I can not wait to tell Joanne!
At the end of the day, we are all exhausted, but we have accomplished so much! I now have my dance down, and Roger worked out a few chords that were giving him a hard time. Collins and Benny both dropped in to see how rehearsal was going, and it was all we could do to tell them the news like normal people! They were both excited for us, and Collins said that Angel would be so proud and happy for us if she was still around!
I begin the journey back to my apartment. It is a nice day out. I pass by Benny's apartments. The crazy bag/cat/bird lady is ever-present, feeding her pigeons and singing non stop. I have noticed people have thrown a few coins her way. I decided to stop and chat with her. It had been on my list of things to do anyway. So I stop directly in front of her. She looks up mid song.
"Hi!" I say to her.
She barely looked up at me. "Hi."
The non-responsiveness would normally deter any other normal person. But I was not a normal person. I persevered. I started asking questions. When she finally looked at me, I realized she was maybe only twenty five years old, with light brown hair, and the most gorgeous green eyes ever, and a cIear complexion. She looked vaguely familiar, but I could not place her. I began to probe, asking all about her life. It turned out that she had been living in an apartment, but got evicted because she couldn't pay the rent. Boy, could I relate! She was actually a fascinating person. Her name was Danielle, and the cats that were ever present actually belonged to her. When she got evicted, they did too, and being loyal companions, have adapted to living on the streets with her. She is able to keep them fed because the coins that she gets every day is enough for her to buy a can of tuna fish. She eats a portion then divides the rest between the three cats. She has been unable to find a job, her previous work was financial, but she told me she had been an aspiring actress for years! But no one would hire her as she had no place to live. I must have spoken to her for a good hour. I made a vow to help her anyway I could, especially since I just got a good paying job.
I finally get back to my apartment, and Joanne hasn't arrived yet. I begin to make dinner, as I need something to do to occupy my mind while I wait to tell her the news. Almost 2 hours later, she arrives. I have a salad prepared, as well as baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, and I made a tiramisu for dessert. She was shocked as well as pleased, and wondered what the occasion was. I could not wait any more, and told her of the interview Mark had, and what they want us to do. She was surprised, but she also had news for me: they had made her Associate VIP of her law firm! We hugged each other, and jumped around the kitchen, and cried. What an exciting day!
Over the next few weeks, we get settled and used to working with studio audiences and cameras. Then the hard part starts. They want us to turn our one woman show into a sitcom, one about exactly what we had been doing: struggling artists who get a break. They want us all to be co-stars. Roger and I were fine with that, but Mark had a hard time giving up his role as director and taking up a role as performer!
We began to rehearse at the studio 6 days a week, 14 hr days. Our pilot episode was due to air in exactly 3 months. The show was going to be called "Directing Our Lives," and was going to feature "new up-and-coming stars"--Mark Cohen, Roger Davis, and me-Maureen Johnson. They promised audiences that we were a young, fresh cast with loads of talent that was sure to keep them wanting more. What a thing to live up to!
Roger was going to write the opening credits music for the show, as well as the ending credits music. When he wasn't at rehearsal with us, he was working on the music for the show. Every day we'd leave work exhausted, but it was going to be so worth it, in the end! No matter how tired I was when I left however, I never forgot my vow to Danielle. I would always give her at least a twenty every time I walked by her. I would stop and chat, as we were now friends, and as I left I'd slip her money. She protested every day, and tried to refuse, but I always managed to sneak her a few bucks! I would tell her about our show, and the progress we were making. She was as excited as I was about the show, even though she had no television with which to watch it!
Finally the pilot episode aired. We were nervous and excited to see how it was going to appeal to the audiences. We waited through what seemed to be the longest half hour ever. After the show, we were anxiously waiting the review. Was all the hard work and effort worth it? Our boss came in the conference room. "IT'S A GO!" THE AUDIENCE LOVED IT!" he shouted.
We jumped up and down and screamed ecstatically amongst the confetti being tossed and the champagne being popped. We were signed in for a 3 yr-PRIMETIME-contract! That meant we did not have to worry about money for the next THREE years! I could hardly wait for our own celebration down at the Life Café that was going to take place over the weekend!
Going home that evening was exhilarating as well as exhausting. As I walked by Danielle, I gave her a hundred dollars, and invited her to join us at the Life Café, which she accepted. When I arrived home, I gave Joanne a hug and a kiss hello, and told her of our exciting news. More jumping ensued, as well as tears of joy. I collapsed into bed, in a deep sleep. The next morning, I awoke at a leisurely 11:30 am. (We had aired at the 8:00 pm primetime hotspot on Friday night! They had given us the weekends off, and we were going to begin rehearsals and taping again on Monday!) Joanne was nowhere to be found, as an Associate VIP's life is non-stop busy!!! I sit up lazily, and notice that Joanne had made me breakfast! She has made me a sausage and cheese on a plain bagel with fresh honey dew melon on the side, as well as a glass of cranberry juice. She has also placed a single red rose in a vase, and an imported chocolate truffle on a plate. There is also a note that reads, "Congratulations, honey, I always knew you would be famous!" She is always so thoughtful! I really don't know how she has been able to put up with me. I'll admit I can be kind of…selfish sometimes. But I'm working on that. I turn on my television and indulge myself in a Lifetime movie while I eat my breakfast. (I may look like a rocker chick but that doesn't mean I don't also have a soft side!)
I pad downstairs barefoot in my pajamas on my way to take a shower. I gather up my shower gel, towel, scrubby, and hair twisty and head into the bathroom. I put the shower up full blast and turn on the back massager. I close the door to ensure the bathroom will be nice and steamy, and go into the kitchen to wash up my dishes from breakfast. Ten minutes later, I'm standing in the bathroom which has become my sauna, immersed under the waterfall from my shower head. I'm reflecting on the past day's events, and how instantly stardom has occurred.
An hour later, I emerge from the shower, towel off, put my lotion all over my body, spritz on my favorite perfume in all the right places, and throw on a pair of tight jeans and a baby tee. My hair has the just rolled out of bed look, my make up is perfect, and a pair of black boots and my leather jacket completes the outfit. I am ready to start my day.
I leave my apartment, and head down the street. I know I look good, and I know I will be checked out. Sure enough, not more than five minutes after I leave my doorstep I get a smile by a cute construction worker. Two minutes later a cute blonde girl gives me a wink. Am I glad Joanne is not here to witness this! We'd have a huge fight! I head uptown towards Mark's apartment. I am hoping he is in, to go over a scene we are working on, where we are dating and living together. When I arrive, Mark is standing on his balcony with his ever-present video camera, filming the sights and sounds of the city. "Always the director," I think to myself with a smile. Mark turns when I walk in. He must have heard the squeak of the door as I entered. I told him I was there to run some lines. "Cool, there were some things I also wanted to go over with you," he says to me.
We arrange ourselves on the floor and get to work. We rehearse for about 3 hours. It's amazing how hard it is act that you're dating someone, when in real life you actually DID date that person. When you date someone, you don't think about it, you just do it. But when you have to act like you are with someone when you aren't, it's a whole new ball game. I could tell Mark was feeling the same pressure I was, so we took a well-deserved break. We ended up talking and joking and reminiscing for the next three hours.
All of a sudden, Mark sits up and looks at the clock. "Damn! We were supposed to be at the Life Café half an hour ago!"
We fly into gear, throwing on coats and shoes, and in my case, reapplying makeup and re-mussing my hair. We practically run the three-block distance to the Life Café. We run in together, rosy cheeked and breathless, laughing because we had practically tripped over each other on our run over. I look around the room, and I spot Joanne. She does not look happy to see me and Mark laughing and joking together. Wonderful. I'm in trouble again. I wish she would get over this horrible jealousy streak, it makes being her girlfriend difficult at times.
I walk over to her, and her face is a storm cloud. This is definitely not a good sign. "Hey baby," I say to her. "Don't 'hey baby' ME," she says. "I saw you over there with Mark laughing and joking. We will discuss this at home."
This is going to be a long night.
The Life Café was busy as always, but this time it was filled with only people I knew. A big "Congratulations Mark, Roger, and Maureen" banner hung across the back wall. The regular light bulbs had been replaced with multicolored light bulbs, and it gave the place a warmer glow. A band was playing soft rock music in the corner. All the big-wigs from our television studio are there. Roger, Mark, Mimi, Joanne, Benny, and Collins are all there, naturally. I scanned the room some more. Danielle was there, and she looked good! Her face and hair were clean, her eyes bright and sparkly. She was sporting a new outfit as well! When she smiled, the whole room lit up! I went over to give her a hug. I've never seen it quite this packed before!
We ordered our usual: miso soup, seaweed salad, soy burger dinners, tofu platters, and pasta with meatless balls. No dinner would be complete without our usual wine and beer, of course.
While we wait for our dinner, my boss stands up and raises his glass for a toast. "To us," he says. "To you and you, and you, you, and you. To everyone involved in making 'Directing our lives,' from the swings to the actors, to the script writers and the clean up crew, everyone has done an amazing job in such a short time. Without you, there would have been no show. I raise my glass to you all!" Everyone cheers and downs their champagne. Except for Mimi, I noticed, who slowly raised her glass of ginger ale.
"Hmm…I wonder… could she be pregnant?" I think to myself. I make a mental note to ask her about that later, after the festivities die down.
We spend the rest of the night reveling in the congratulations, drinking, and having a good time. At about 3 am the crowd finally thins out and it is just Collins, Mark, Roger, Mimi, Joanne, and I left. Even Benny had left early. His prissy wife had demanded he come home. Mimi gets up to go to the bathroom, and I get up as well, which prompts the guys to crack that old joke about how women always need to go in pairs. I gave them the finger, which of course made them laugh more.
I was standing in the bathroom, playing with my hair while I was waiting for Mimi to finish up. I was trying to think of a casual way to ask if she was indeed pregnant, but nothing was coming to mind. Tactful isn't my style anyway. I decided to just come out with it and ask.
"Hey Mimi, I couldn't help but notice that when we toasted glasses earlier this evening, you raised your glass and it was ginger ale, not champagne. What is going on? Are you pregnant?"
There was a long pause of silence from Mimi. Finally she spoke. "Yes, I'm two months pregnant. And I'm so scared."
"Oh Mimi, how come you didn't tell us?"
"I'm scared. We are scared. We don't know what to do. We had spoken about abortion, but we can't bring ourselves to kill a living child. On the other hand, we don't want to bring a child into the world with a strike against it before it even starts."
We both knew she was talking about bringing a child into the world with the major possibility of giving him or her HIV.
"Don't worry. You and Roger have both been taking your AZT regularly, right?
"Yeah. Benny was helping us pay our medical expenses, until Roger just got this sitcom with you and Mark."
"Then you should be okay. We will go to the clinic tomorrow and see if we can get some literature on what to do when you are pregnant and are HIV positive." I gave her a hug.
She cried for a few more minutes in my arms, then she washed her face and put on a smile and bravely left the bathroom. As we were leaving, she asked me to help her tell the others. I told her that was no problem, we would grab their attention when we got back to the table. There was no one else in there but us at this time anyway, as it was almost 4 am.
"Wow, you guys were in there a half an hour. Is everything ok?" Mark asked us, all concerned. I noticed Roger and Mimi exchange a look.
"Yes. Mimi just needed to talk about something. Something she needs to tell everyone. So if everyone could just listen up for a minute, she would like to make an announcement."
Roger comes forth to stand with Mimi. He wasn't about to let her do this alone. I squeeze Mimi's arm, and get a grateful look on my way back to my seat.
Mimi begins. Her voice is wavy, and she is visibly shaking. Roger puts his arm around her to comfort her. Her voice is surprisingly steady.
"As you guys know, Roger and I have been a couple for over a year now. We have been through all sorts of ordeals, ranging from overcoming addictions, to poverty, to loss of a friend, to getting an apartment together and getting our lives back on track. We have both been taking our AZT, and thankfully, our health is great. However, as careful as we have been, I have become pregnant."
The room fell silent as they absorbed the shock of Mimi's words.
Roger spoke next.
"We have been stuck between a rock and a hard place, which is why we haven't told anyone yet. We weren't sure if we were going to keep it, or abort it, or put it up for adoption. We don't think it's fair to kill an unborn baby, who hasn't even begun to experience life, but at the same time, we don't know how we can bring a child into the world knowing that there is a huge possibility of that child being born HIV positive."
Mark was the first one to break the silence. "Well, more congratulations are definitely in order!"
Roger and Mimi exchanged another look.
One by one everyone slowly gets up from the table to offer congratulations and hugs to Roger and Mimi.
I decide to speak. "I am not sure what everyone is thinking, but I feel that Mimi and Roger would make wonderful parents, HIV+ or not. I think they should carry their child into the world and raise it like anyone else. We can always look into different methods and precautions for preventing passing HIV."
Collins was the first to agree with me, with Mark and Joanne right behind him.
It was decided that Mimi and I would go to the clinic later on today to talk to a technician and get information.
We left the café shortly after 4:30 am to go home and get some sleep.
The next day I go and get Mimi, and we walk the few blocks to the clinic. We meet with a technician named Dr. Walker, who is very helpful, and provides us with tons of information about being pregnant and with HIV. We learned that there are antiretroviral medications, such as Zidovudine, or ZDV, that are given during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and after birth that make the risk be down to only 2% of passing it on.
When we leave, we feel 100% better. Mimi has decided to keep the child, and I congratulated her again, and told her that she and Roger were going to be the best parents ever to that child. We were on our way to meet Roger for a late lunch at Sardi's. Hey, we are famous now! That's THE PLACE to go if you are famous in New York! He had arrived before us and had gotten priority seating. We rushed over to him, and we each gave him a big hug. Mimi looked at him, and with tears in her eyes, told him they were going to be parents! He broke into a huge smile, and scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around. He gave her a kiss and set her down. He looked her dead in the eyes, and said, "Mimi, I was going to wait until the spring to do this, but right now, I don't think a better moment would ever present itself." She gave him a quizzical look, but before she could say anything, he gets down on one knee in the middle of the restaurant, clasps her hands between his, looks into her eyes, and says "Mimi Marquez, from the day I first met you, the day you strutted so sexily into my apartment with that candle and made me forget my song, I was hooked. Through all the drugs, all the withdrawals, my moving to Santa Fe and then back, nothing could make me forget about you, or not want to be with you. When I thought you were dying, I thought my life was over. I didn't want to live if I couldn't live with you. Having you get pregnant only emphasizes this. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives, and I'm hoping you also feel that way. I love you, and I want you to be my wife." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautifully crafted, three-diamond ring, two solitaire diamonds surrounding a full 2 carat diamond shaped like a heart, all of the finest of the 4 C's. It was a one of a kind ring, one Roger had taken time 2 dream up and have crafted especially for Mimi.
The restaurant had fallen silent, to watch Roger pledge his love to Mimi. Now we were anxiously awaiting her response.
"Oh Roger," Mimi said, "I have felt the same way since I have met you as well. I often wondered how you were able to deal with me when I was going through my withdrawals, amongst other things. I knew we had clicked from day one, but I was never sure as to how you felt about me. Of course I will marry you, I love you, and I don't want to be without you." Roger took Mimi's hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. He leaned down and gave her a kiss to seal the deal. When the restaurant started applauding, Mimi and Roger looked shocked. I don't think they had realized that they had had an audience the entire time they had said their speeches!!! I was so happy for them! But it reminded me. I had still not reconciled with Joanne from the night before. I had better get home and fast, before she thinks I was out cavorting all day while she was slaving at work!
I arrived home with thirty minutes to spare. I started to set the table for dinner. Today, dinner was going to be her favorite. Chicken parm with cheese sauce and linguini, with Italian bread and butter, a side salad, red wine, and chocolate mousse for dessert.
By the time Joanne walked in the door, the salad had been tossed, the linguini was cooked and sitting in a pretty glass bowl, and the chicken had turned a nice shade of golden brown. I had just finished making the cheese sauce and it was ready to be drizzled on the pasta. The mousse had been stirred up and was waiting for a dollop of whipped cream on top with just the tiniest slice of candied lime. I had also set the table with our best china and wine glasses. Two candles in silver candlesticks were flickering in the gentle breeze blowing in from the open kitchen window.
Joanne didn't even notice my handiwork, as she marched past the kitchen and into the bedroom, where she angrily started taking her clothes off and putting on comfortable pajamas. I must admit, watching her do that in such a fury was really hot! But I knew now was not the time or place.
"You okay, honey?" I asked her.
"DO I LOOK LIKE I AM OKAY?" she bellowed back at me. Okay. Not so hot now.
"No. Do you want to talk about it?"
She begins to tell me about how her boss has decided she can not handle all her work and he's making her take on an assistant. To me, that doesn't sound so bad. But that is Joanne for you, Miss Perfectionist. She can't have anything that would be a flaw. An assistant to her is a major flaw. I put my arm around her and rubbed her back. She put her head on my shoulder, and we sat that way for a little while. All of a sudden, she sat up. "What is that wonderful smell?" she asked.
"Oh, I had made dinner for us."
"What did you make??"
I wouldn't tell her. I held her hand and lead her into the kitchen and sat her down at the table. She surveyed the spread with astonishment and joy.
"Oh baby you did this for me! And I came home so upset and miserable!"
"Don't worry about it," I told her. "Everyone has a bad day sometimes. Just enjoy the dinner."
We sat and ate, and it was a quite nice dinner. By the time dinner was over, Joanne was in a good mood again, and she even offered to do the dishes!
We stretched out on the couch and turned on the television. There was a period of time that passed before Joanne spoke.
"Maureen, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me last night. I saw you rushing in with Mark and I got so jealous. I know you are my girlfriend, and I know that you have gotten much better with not flirting with every woman or man who walks down the street. But yesterday, seeing you guys so happy, it, I don't know, made me upset. I shouldn't have taken thrown those looks at you, you didn't deserve that."
I waited a few minutes to choose my words carefully before responding.
"Joanne, I know I deserve every ounce of suspicion that you may have, but I assure you that I am true to you. I would never hurt you or betray you in any way. I have mended my old ways, and I'm not flirting with anyone else, or even thinking about anyone else. I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy, Maureen," she said to me. "I love being with you, and I trust you. I don't know what got into me yesterday. I don't even want to talk about it, it was a brief moment, and I was wrong. I'm sorry."
And that was it. We spent the rest of the night cuddled up on the couch watching old movies. It was actually a nice night!
We woke up late the next day, and we decided we would have a lazy, leisurely day before we had to get back to work. Our day consisted of getting up late, having a traditional New York breakfast of bagels, lox, and cream cheese, going to Central Park to walk through and ride the carousel, and going to dinner at a French Café, followed by a moonlight horse and buggy ride. It was a very nice, romantic day with no arguments.
The next week, work was crazy busy, but it flew by. It's amazing how quickly time goes by when you are rehearsing lines and blocking scenes! To complete one half hour show took 2 full five-day work weeks at 12 hours a day.
It was worth it, though. The Neilson ratings were through the roof about our show! Everyone was raving!
The months started to fly by. Roger, Mark, and I were practically living at the studio. We would leave there at night and go home and crash almost immediately. The weekends we all tried to get together at least once to hang out and catch up, but while it sounded good on paper, it barely happened with the hectic lives we all were living. I barely knew what was going on with my own co workers outside the studio. I had noticed Mark was unusually happy lately, and Roger had seemed a little on the quiet side, but we hadn't had much time to talk.
One day I was able to catch up with Roger. I wanted to see how Mimi was doing with her pregnancy. She would have been about 6 or 7 months along by now. "Hey, how is Mimi and the pregnancy?" I asked him.
"She's doing okay," he replied. "Very tired, being pregnant and having HIV is exhausting for her. She's seven months along now. One of the babies is doing well, the other not so well. But we are doing all we can."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that…Babies? You are having twins?! Oh my god, Roger, I had no idea! Has it been that long since we have caught up?"
He shrugged. "I guess so. I thought we had told everyone. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, Roger. We have all been busy! Don't blame yourself! Mimi will be okay, and the babies will be fine as well. Doctors can do fantastic things nowadays!"
I made a mental note to get over to see Mimi as soon as I could.
I arrived home that night, and I was very quiet. Joanne knew something was wrong immediately, and came over to inquire. I told her about Mimi and the babies, she had no idea as well. We were beginning to wonder if they had told anyone, or if they had been too busy. I decided I would call everyone, and let them know.
I started with Collins. Collins had been informed, he speaks to Mimi on a regular basis because he sees her al the time. Their classes meet at the same time, and even though its two separate schools, they arrange to get coffee once or twice a week. Well, coffee for Collins. Mimi gets ginger ale. Collins has decided that he's not going to seriously date anyone again, because he knows his time is limited, and anyone he gets involved with, their time is limited as well. He knows he can't handle loving and losing like he did with Angel. He also doesn't want to hurt anyone if something was to happen to him. He told me that he has found true love once before, and that he will never find anything like that again.
Once I had talked to Collins, I called Benny. Benny also knew about Roger and Mimi. He had told me that he and Mimi had been hanging out a lot, which is weird to me, I would think that Roger would not approve of Mimi and Benny hanging out alone, as she had cheated on him before. I brushed it aside, Mimi and Roger seem to be so much in love, I couldn't imagine either one of them away from each other.
Finally, I call Mark. Mark is probably my least favorite to call because of our past history. He answers on the first ring, of course. I smile to myself, Mark is always reliable and always there when I need him. Good old Mark. It is a wonder he hasn't found anyone yet. Of all my boyfriends, he was definitely the best.
I tell Mark about Mimi and Roger. He had been uninformed as well. He's happy for them, and worried like we all are. Then I figured I'd catch up with him as well, so we began to chat. He filled me in on his newest film endeavors. Always the aspiring director! Never mind that we are making more than enough money now!
Conversation moved from his movies to his personal life. I was surprised and happy to hear that he had finally met someone, a girl named Jes who played guitar in a band and wrote all her own music. They had met at one of her gigs, Roger liked to go to a certain club, and one day he had dragged Mark with him to hear the bands, and Mark saw Jes and was mesmerized by her not-caring rocker chick attitude and awesome lyrics, to say nothing for her amazing talent on the guitar. He worked up the courage to talk to her, and they have been dating for six months now! Again, I was amazed that I had not been aware of this! I knew something was up based on how happy he had been, but I had no idea it was this!
They sounded like a kind of odd match, but it seemed like he was happy, so I went with it. She actually sounded like more of a match for Roger, what with the whole musician thing going on. But they say opposites attract right? Joanne and I are completely different and we work just fine!
After I finish up with Mark, I decide that I must go see Mimi tomorrow. I miss her, and it is a Saturday, so I am off. I call her and ask her to meet me for shopping and a late lunch. She agrees, and sounds completely happy that I want to hang out! We agree to meet at 2:00 pm to grab lunch at an outdoor café.
The next day at lunch Mimi fills me in on what Roger had already told me, and what the doctors have said. One of the options is to still birth one of the babies, drug induced. It is a new procedure that can run very costly. Her and Roger can afford it, but Benny offered to pay for it. Interesting. Again, Benny is brought up. She has two months left to go. They can induce the still born right up to the time of birth. It is a pretty hefty decision, though. I don't think I could knowingly kill my baby.
After lunch we go shopping. Nothing like spending money to get a girl's spirits up! Mimi needed some new maternity clothes. She wasn't fat anywhere but her tummy, and her shirts were barely covering now. We went to the finest maternity store in the City. Mimi found 6 cute tops and 3 pants, and we figured that would get her through the rest of her pregnancy.
I head home in the early evening, say hi to Danielle, and finally have time to spend with Joanne. We converse about our week, and cuddle up to watch television. We decide that Sundays will be our day to hang out and be lazy together.
Sunday comes and goes way too fast as always. It's back to work on Monday so we can bang out a few more shows.
The weeks fly by again, and I try to make more of an effort to keep up with Mark and Roger. Roger is still as miserable as Mark is ecstatic. I know he is worried about Mimi and the twins. Mark is in love, anyone with eyes can see that!
One night, the phone rings at 3 am. Mimi has gone into labor! She has decided to try to give birth to both children. We rush down to the hospital to be there for her when she was done. Joanne, Mark (accompanied by Jes), Collins, Benny (not accompanied by "Muffy") and I all sit anxiously awaiting the news. Roger is in the birthing room with Mimi of course. We all hold our balloon bouquets, potted flowers, and stuffed animals. Mimi had a relatively quick labor, which was good as it was a first birth and they usually take a long time! Both babies were born alive, which was good. She had two girls! The second twin had bright blue skin though, which wasn't a good sign. We were hoping that she would get through the APGAR tests ok.
The first twin was given the tests and she was had a perfect score. The second twin was given the tests, and she was at less than 50%. They were going to retry her in 10 minutes or so, but they feared the worst. They feared the child would have to be incubated and tubes would have to be placed in her veins to help her breathe and eat. Ten minutes later proved the same thing. She was to be incubated immediately. Doctors took Roger aside to discuss the baby's situation. Mimi nervously watched, while holding tightly to her other baby.
Finally Roger comes over, and explains to us the situation. Mimi gave birth to one healthy daughter and one who was infected with HIV. The HIV daughter was alive, but barely. She would have to be incubated for many months, and she could never be held or touched for any germs would make her even sicker. She would need doctor's care the rest of her life, which would only be at best two years. It would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for her medicines and hospital stays, as she would almost permanently be in the hospital all of her short life. Mimi was in tears, and who could blame her? This was one of her children, a child she had given birth to. They decided to incubate the child. They had decided on names, but were keeping it a secret. Even the bassinettes didn't have the names on them. They just read as "Girl Marquez." Mimi did not want to have Roger's last name on the birth certificate, just in case something happened and they did not get married. But he was listed as the father of her children.
We went to visit Mimi and the babies every day. The incubated twin was not making any progress. Her skin remained blue and even though they were pumping vitamins and fluids in her body, she was not reacting well to them. Her pulse was weak, her breath shallow. On the fifth day, her heart gave out, and even though they tried to revitalize her, she could not make it. Five days after life was given to her, Mimi's second baby died. Mimi was a wreck. She couldn't stop crying, and no amount of comfort could help.
It was a sad day when Mimi left the hospital. She carried the remaining twin in her arms. They had decided to name her Harmony Angel, so they could pass on a bit of a memory from Angel herself. Mimi and Roger both looked very upset and sad.
The funeral was held two days after they had left the hospital. It was just the eight of us, and it was a sullen, somber experience. The only tears shed where when the tiny white coffin was lowered into the ground. It was a simple service, but pretty. Very appropriate for the situation. We all threw pink roses on top of the casket. Her name was Cassandra Jade, a gorgeous name for a beautiful little girl. It only seemed right to give her a name, she had been carried to term and she had lived and breathed, if only for five short days. She was going to have a pretty, simple white marble marker with two angels carved into the top watching over her, with her name and dates of birth and death.
The days went on, and everyone resumed their normal activities, Mimi was taking a long leave of absence from school, for at least a year, to take care of her baby. The professors gave her incompletes instead of failing her, because they understood the special circumstances. Roger and Mark and I all went back to the show. I had also started formulating a plan to get Danielle a job and an apartment, so she would not have to live on the streets any longer. Joanne and Collins went back to their jobs, and Benny resumed his building plans. Roger remained as sullen as he had been before, but now had grown so thin the skin around his eyes was almost translucent, and he looked perpetually tired. Mark was ecstatic as ever. Love works for him! And Jes is so cute too! They make a great couple!
I had noticed Roger had been leaving work later and later. We normally left at 8, but he had been sticking around later and later, which is uncharacteristic for him. One night, I had decided to stick around and see what he did for all those extra hours. I hid myself up in the cat walk, which gave me a clear view of the entire building. As the building emptied, I began to look for Roger. Roger was sitting in the far corner of the building. He had his guitar. He strummed the guitar, a soft melancholy melody. Every so often he would play a chord, shake his head to brush the hair out of his eyes, and write something down, talking to himself the entire time. I must have watched him two hours, not wanting to disturb him.
Finally, I could not bear the silence. I crept down the cat walk and tiptoed over to Roger, not wanting to disturb him. He looked up at me, startled. "What are you doing here?" he asked me. I told him I wanted to figure out what he did all night, while we were asleep. He told me that was his outlet, his way of coping with stress. "What stress?" I asked.
"Yeah, things with Mimi and I are not going well. We argue constantly when we are together, which is never lately, and I know she is never home when I am at work. I call her all the time when I am here, and she never answers the house number or her cell phone. I think she is having an affair."
With that final comment Roger turned and punched the wall as hard as he could. Knuckles bleeding, he came back to sit with me. I wiped the blood off his hand, applied some healing cream and wrapped it in bandages. I let him vent for awhile, and we discussed the situation. We decided we would talk to Mimi together. We arranged our schedules to leave work early on Friday and pop in unannounced at Mimi and Roger's apartment. We would sit her down and have a discussion. When Roger and I leave it is past midnight. We know work is going to be a long day tomorrow, but we both felt better after we left.
We got through the day fine, and Roger left with us on time today. He knew that tomorrow was going to be the day of confrontation. I go home and have dinner with Joanne. It was her day off, so she had prepared a green salad with baked lasagna, buttered Italian bread, and a whipped cream cake for dessert. We cuddled up in front of the television, as usual. Roger and I had decided to not mention this to anyone else, at least until the confrontation was over, so I could not even tell Joanne.
The next day at work was a long day, even though we were leaving at four instead of eight. Roger appeared nervous and flighty to me. Mark was oblivious to the fact that he was acting any different from normal.
Four pm rolls around, and Roger and I leave. We walk the short distance to the apartment. We creep up the stairs slowly, with no noise what so ever. When we reached the door to the apartment however, we learned that we did not need to worry about being careful. The baby was wailing, but even louder than that was moans coming from the bedroom. Moans that were coming from Mimi. I looked at Roger, unsure of what to say.
"She better be by herself," he growled.
We crept closer to the door. He reached for the doorknob and quietly opened the door. We peered around the doorway. I do not think either of us were prepared for what we saw.
When we opened the door, we saw Mimi in reverse cow girl position riding a guy whose face we were unable to see from our angle. They had not seen us yet. Mimi's eyes were closed, lost in the throes of passion. I knew I wasn't going to make them aware of our presence. I did not have to wait long though. Roger could not control his temper. "Mimi!" he screamed, "Just what in god's name do you think you are doing?"
Mimi opened her eyes in shock. Her male visitor also raised his head.
Now it was my turn to be shocked. "Benny?! What the hell are you doing!?"
Benny and Mimi stumbled over each other with excuses. I couldn't take it any more. "Quiet!" I yelled. "We need to sit down and hash this out like normal adults. Mimi and Benny—put some clothes on. Then join us in the living room. You have five minutes." With that, Roger and I turned and left the bedroom.
We sat on the couch and waited for Mimi and Benny to join us. They came and sat opposite us. We discussed everything. Mimi had been feeling neglected because Roger was always at work, and she was the one who had to be with the baby constantly, and clean the house, and she was the one who had to quit school. Benny had started coming over to have tea with her while the baby had her morning nap. Her shoulders were always sore, and her back aching. Benny had started innocently enough by giving her a back massage, and things just happened. Soon, they would get together every day, and before they knew it, passions would rise and clothes would be sloppily tossed away. This had been going on about a month. They both figured that the old romance had not dwindled, and wanted to try again. But at this point, Benny needed to divorce "Muffy" and Mimi needed to end her engagement. Neither of them had quite known how to break the news to Roger or "Muffy." Roger sat there, quietly, shocked at the news. He had explained that he had felt something wasn't right with he and Mimi, and he was spending hours at the television studio trying to figure out what to do. He hadn't planned on this happening like this, and he was having a hard time dealing with this. Mimi silently handed back the engagement ring she had been wearing. Benny was on the phone with his lawyer, getting papers drawn up so he could have them served to his soon to be ex wife.
"This is why you didn't want my last name on the birth certificate, isn't it?" Roger said softly to Mimi. "You knew that there was a chance that you would get back with Benny. How could you do this to me? After everything we have been through?"
Mimi couldn't even look him in the eye, let alone answer him. She crossed the room to Benny and linked her arm with his. That was enough for Roger. He walked into Harmony's room, and lifted the (finally!) sleeping baby. "This is my daughter, and this is my apartment. Get the hell out. NOW!"
Mimi didn't even try to argue. She knew that she had done something horrible. She also knew that she could stay at Benny's; his wife would go back into her parent's house. Without another word, they left.
Roger put the baby back in her crib, and we headed out to the kitchen to talk. He was shaking with rage, you could see the blaze of anger in his eyes.
"How could she do this to me?" he asked. "I thought she loved me, thought she was over Benny. We have a child together."
All I could do was rub his back and let him vent. I didn't have the answers, and I didn't know if we ever would have the answers. I knew he had to figure out his game plan. We knew he would not keep the apartment, he did not want anything from Benny, especially not for free, and he was making enough money to get a nicer apartment in a better neighborhood. That was his first line of action, he decided to get some papers and look for a new apartment. He wanted to be out as soon as possible. Next on the list was finding a nanny for Harmony. He still needed to work, and the baby was too young for day care. Mimi was not nursing her, so at least he did not need to worry about that. She was doing fine on formula, no allergies, thank god!
His biggest problem, however, was trying to forget about Mimi. He was still so in love with her, and he couldn't imagine her not being a part of his life. He knew he would have to work out who got the child with her, although we both felt that he was the better of the two parents. But that was something we could work out with lawyers. I told him I was not going to ask Joanne to represent him, because Mimi was still our friend as well, and I didn't think it was appropriate to have her choose sides. (Especially as she does not know what is going on yet.) I would ask Joanne for a reference for him when I got home that evening. We knew it was going to be a hard road ahead, especially since they were not married, for custody of Harmony.
Roger left me watching the baby, and he went to go get some newspapers for us to look through. He wanted a nice roomy two bedroom apartment, with a southern exposure and a fireplace, located in a nice area, with a bit of a backyard. Easy enough, right? He came back with several newspapers, two sub sandwiches, and two Diet Cokes. We scoured through the papers, circling potential places. We found five places that we decided to check out first thing in the morning. I told him I would go with him, it was Joanne's weekend to work at the firm anyway, so I was going to be up early no matter what. On that note, I decided to go home and get some sleep. I passed Danielle on the way. She never sleeps, that girl! She is always so chipper no matter the weather, or the situation. I had no idea how she did it! As soon as I arrived home, I fell asleep almost instantaneously. It had been a long day!
The next day I woke up extra early so I could have breakfast with Joanne. She was shocked, but pleased that I had gotten up to give her quality time. I wasn't exactly known for getting up before noon!
After Joanne left, I went to take a shower and change before I headed to Roger's.
When I got there, he was raring to go. He had Harmony in her carrier and he had his coat on. He had been up early calling various realtors and arranging times to see the apartments. Our first stop was a two story split level in Soho. It had his fireplace, and southern exposure, but it was on the small side. Plus it was farther away from where we worked. I encouraged him to not get discouraged, it was only the first place we saw. We checked out some more, we saw one in Greenwich Village that we both loved, which was more like a house than an apartment, it was two floors and it wasn't attached to any other buildings. We also saw a few high riser apartments that weren't anything special, and had none of the features Roger wanted. The Greenwich Village apartment had a nice back yard, and a swimming pool for the apartments to share. Roger's mind was made up.
"I will take the Greenwich Village apartment," Roger shouted, "It is the perfect place to raise my daughter."
He had carried a check on him just in case he wanted to make a deposit. He wrote out the check for the first, last, and security deposits. The realtor took the check, shook his hand, and told him to stop by the office tomorrow to sign the final paperwork. Roger was grinning from ear to ear.
"One task down, two more to go!" he practically sang out.
The next day was nanny interview day. We must have interviewed hundreds of nannies. None of them were fit to be Harmony's nanny. They all were too old, too inexperienced, or too ugly. We didn't want the baby to be scared when she was being watched!
We decided we would interview just five more nannies and then call it a day. The first four we rejected. By the last one, we were pretty much ready to call it quits. Then this cute, perky brunette walked in the room. "Am I too late for the interview?" She says, in a breathy tone that was just a trace British. Roger and I exchanged a look. In the end, it was he who decided to let her stay. Her name was Tracey, and she was thirty three years old. She was an au pair who had been in the states a good ten years, and had actually been with one family for the past ten years, but the youngest child is now twelve so they no longer needed her services. She was looking for a new job, preferably one with an infant so she could remain with one family for awhile. She had had her training in England, and had several certifications, as well as an outstanding reference from the family. We talked to her awhile, and decided she was perfect for the job! She was to start tomorrow at eight thirty and work until eight in the evening. It was a long day, but Harmony slept most of the time anyway. She would have a three month probation period.
Roger moved into his new apartment that following Saturday. Mark, Jes, Joanne, and I all helped him move. Everyone knew by now what had happened, and they were sympathetic and supportive. We all had been avoiding Mimi like the plague. We just weren't sure of what to say to her. Benny was certainly not a problem to ignore.
Things slowly returned to being semi-normal. Tracey was working out well, she had reached her three month probation and was doing remarkable. Harmony loved her, and Roger was loving the home made meals she had always prepared for him, piping hot, the second he walked in the door. She had moved into an apartment in the same complex, so if there was an emergency she would easily be at hand.
Roger had contacted a good lawyer that he had found through Joanne, and the custody battle was underway. I noticed Roger's mood was picking up. His eyes were less sunken in, and his cheeks were rosy again. This move had totally de-stressed him! Mark was still head over heels in love. Jes seemed like a nice girl, we hadn't had much time to get to know her, unfortunately. They pretty much were exclusive, and when he wasn't at work they were inseparable. I knew from the cat that ate the canary grin that was always plastered on his face that they were definitely enjoying their evenings!
As for Mimi and Benny, we had not heard a peep out of them since they had been discovered. Which was kind of nice, no drama. It felt kind of eerie, though, like a calm before the storm. We all knew more was to come, and that it was going to be a long battle.
Joanne and I decided we were going to hit up Roger for dinner, unannounced, to sample some of Tracey's delicious cooking. We headed over to his apartment, and we walked right in. (None of us bothered with locking our doors. You would think we would be more careful, living in New York!) We smelled a wonderful, garlicky, chicken smell. Roger was no where to be found, and Harmony was asleep in her bouncy. We headed to the kitchen, where we assumed we would find Tracey. Well, we found Tracey all right! She was with Roger, wrapped in a passionate embrace up against the fridge. Joanne and I looked at each other with a smile.
"Hey you guys! Get a room!" I yelled.
Roger and Tracey jumped a mile, turned bright red, and separated from each other as fast as they could.
"You guys scared us!" Roger said.
"Duh. That was kind of the point!" I said. "So what's going on?"
Roger and Tracey exchanged a look. Tracey began to speak. "Well, we have been spending an awful lot of time together lately, and one day sparks just flew. We have sort of been dating the past two months. We are taking it slow."
I looked at Roger, who was oblivious. I made a mental note to snag him later and talk with him.
We had a delicious dinner of salad, garlic bread, savory garlic-butter chicken, wild rice, and broccoli in a cheese sauce. Of course our ever-present bottle of wine, and a New York Style cheesecake for dessert. Tracey truly was a remarkable chef! After dinner, Joanne and Tracey went into the living room to play with the baby, and Roger and I went to clean up the kitchen. While we scrubbed dishes and tidied counters, I spoke with him.
"Have you guys talked about the HIV?" I asked.
"Yeah. She understands that I am taking medicine for HIV, and we have gone through counseling, still are actually, and we both understand that no matter what, when the time comes, we never have unprotected sex."
"And how do you feel about this?"
"Pretty good, actually. It's nice to have a woman who understands me, and my situation, and have her still want to be with me. She has been tested, and she is not HIV+. She is okay with using condoms, has never had a problem with it. She knows how Harmony had a twin who died who was born with HIV. She understands that if we were to ever want to have children and take that chance, she and the child would be a potential risk. She keeps the relationship cool, no drama. She respects me and gives me my space when I need it. I like her as a woman and a person. She keeps me sane. If she had not come into my life when she did, I am afraid that I may have gone back and found my old dealer and headed down the horrible path I used to travel on. But Tracey has saved me from all that."
With our conversation all set and the kitchen all clean, we headed into the living room to catch up with Joanne and Tracey. From the looks of the hushed conversations, we gathered they were having the same conversation we were. They looked at us, and Joanne shut up. Tracey jumped up 2 give Roger a kiss.
"So what were you guys talking about while we were cleaning?" he asked her.
She gave him a crafty grin, and said, "I imagine the same thing you were talking about in the kitchen."
"Us?" he asked.
"You got it."
"Did you explain…?"
"Yes. Did you?"
"Yes."
Roger turned to us with a breath of relief. "So now everyone is on the same page," he said.
Joanne spoke this time. "We think it is a good, healthy idea to engage in dating and all related activities. As long as you guys are responsible and take all the proper precautions, I don't see any reason as to why this won't work out long term for you. And if it gets serious enough where you get married and you want children, well, that's what doctors are for. They can monitor the pregnancy and prescribe medicines to help lower the risk of infection."
The rest of the evening we played trivia games and laughed and talked. Tracey really did seem to be a good match for him!
It was nice to be back at work with Roger and Mark both in good moods! I was looking forward to work again! The show was still a huge success, and our rates were still high. Earlier today, I had spoken to my boss about inventing a small role on the show for Danielle. I told him she was an aspiring actress, who had a lot of talent and was very versatile. He said he would see what he could do. He said he would give her an audition on Monday at three. I could hardly wait to tell her! I flew home after work ended to tell Danielle the good news! She was ecstatic!! She was going to come to my apartment the night before to shower and change. She could hardly wait! Too bad it was only Wednesday!
On Friday I arrive home after work, and find a court summons has been sent for me. I was requested to be a witness, due to the fact that I was the lucky person who happened to walk in with Roger that day and catch Mimi and Benny in the act. The court date was set for June 6th, two months from today. What a wonderful start to my weekend!
Joanne was sympathetic, but she also took a legal standpoint, and saw it as a way to help Roger out. She also pointed out that I was already aware that I was a witness, so I should have been anticipating the summons to be a witness. She had a point, but it still sucked. Messy as the situation was, and as difficult as it was to pit friend against friend. I knew she was right, in the long run. I also knew that my loyalty was to Roger over Mimi, as we had known each other for years, and were even roommates before. Mimi I had only known for about a year and a half.
As the dreaded date approached, I grew more nervous. Joanne pecked around me like a mother hen.
"Wear your sharp suit, the black one, with a pink tank top underneath. Business, yet feminine. Don't even THINK about wearing those Doc Martins under those pants!"
"But…"
"Trust me. You are to wear your sling back pumps."
"Those are so ugly!"
"Oh well. You need to look professional! Ugly shoes help you appear to be professional."
"I am going to be so uncomfortable and so not myself." I grumbled to her.
"That's what happens when you are in the business world."
"Oh yeah? I seem to remember an incident where you had to go to a hearing for your mother last year, and you wore YOUR Doc Martins. And, if my memory serves me correctly, no bra! Why should I be so uncomfortable?"
"That was an entirely different scenario. I was just there to listen and observe. I wasn't there to be on a witness stand, no one was paying attention to me. I was supporting my mother. This case, you are appearing in front of everyone. It is a different situation entirely."
I was not happy, but I understood where she was coming from.
The day came. I was dressed stiffly in my suit and pumps. My hair was just down. I went to the courtroom to sit with Joanne until they needed me. We sat there all morning, first Mimi testified, then Roger. Mimi stated that she had been unhappy since the baby was born, Roger was never home, and things just sort of happened with Benny.
The judge questioned her about her activities with Benny that had occurred in the past. She did admit that her and Benny had been lovers, but stated that for that past year and a half it had been no one but Roger.
When Roger spoke, he did confirm what Mimi had said, that things had been rough since the baby was born, and that both of them have been unhappy. He told of how he'd stay late after work and play his guitar and try to write songs as his method of coping with the stress. He stated that he had had suspicions of Mimi cheating, and left work early one day to see if they were accurate. That's how he found her in their bedroom.
When the judge asked him if he had ever cheated, on Mimi or anyone, he flat out told him no. He stated that he would never cheat on anyone, never has never will. The judge spoke to Benny as well, and then I was called up.
They made me swear the whole truth, nothing but the truth, blah blah blah. Then they proceeded to keep me there for a half hour, asking questions. I answered each question truthfully, yes I was with Roger when Mimi and Benny were caught, yes I knew Benny had dated Mimi, yes I knew Mimi had cheated on Roger with Benny in the past. Finally, they let me step down. The judge announced a recess until tomorrow to deliberate on the decision. We were all to come back again the following day at 9 am sharp. Great. Now I had to find another "professional" outfit to wear.
Joanne and I left the courtroom. We were both tired and hungry, and looking forward to indulging ourselves in big juicy hamburgers from our favorite hamburger place, and thick steak fries, and also some Ben and Jerry's later on. Lemon sorbet for me, Chunky Monkey for Joanne. We were having a lazy night, no gourmet cooking for me tonight!
The next day, we get up bright and early again. We arrive at the courthouse with fifteen minutes to spare. We sit in the courtroom to listen to the judge make his call.
He begins." As everyone present knows, this case is Davis vs. Marquez, for custody of their daughter Harmony Angel, age six months. Davis claims that Marquez is an unfit mother because she has no income of her own and no means to support the child.
Davis also mentioned that Marquez was having premarital relations with one Benjamin Coffin III while the child was left in her crib unattended, which was confirmed by witness Maureen Johnson. Marquez' only true testimony against Davis was that Davis worked long hours, thus deeming him unfit to raise a child properly. Is this accurate information as was portrayed to the court?"
Everyone mentioned in the above dissertation nodded their heads.
The judge continues.
"Based on the remarks that have been made and the deliberation that has occurred, we have decided to rule in the favor of the father, Roger Davis, as Mimi Marquez is deemed unfit to be a mother. Should Marquez want visiting rights, she will work that out with her counselor. This court is adjourned."
Joanne and I rushed to give Roger hugs, and he went to pick up his daughter, his eyes dazed at what just happened. Tracey was there to give him hugs and kisses as well. We all decided we would call Mark and Jes and invite them to come out with us to celebrate.
Mimi and Benny stormed out of the courtroom in a rage. We never heard from them again. Rumor had it that they had left New York and were living in one of the Midwestern states, raising cattle and making a decent living as farmers. Such a change from the somewhat exotic stripper life Mimi had lead, and the high-profile business job Benny had held. I guess they could not deal with seeing us anymore, since this was the second, and more serious, time they had hurt Roger, and we weren't taking that lightly.
On our way back home from the courthouse, we passed Danielle. She was bubbly as always, and we told her the good news.
"That's great!" she squealed as she gave me a hug. Joanne in the meantime was giving me evil glares. Here we go again. Joanne and I kept walking to our apartment. Joanne kept up the glare.
"Don't give me that face" I said to her.
She kept glaring at me.
"What is your deal?"
"You know damn well what my deal is. How come she was all up in your game like that and you didn't say anything? Is she your new girlfriend?"
"Pookie, we have been through this. You are the ONLY girl for me. Sometimes you can be TOO MUCH girl for me. You know I have mended my straying ways! Besides, she is straight."
"You sure? Because she damn don't look straight to me hugging you all up like that."
"She is. She thinks Roger is hot. She is envious of Tracey. You have nothing to worry about."
I could tell she was trying hard to not smile. It didn't work, though. She busted out in a grin.
"Oh baby, I'm so sorry I'm so jealous," she said. "I don't mean to be, I TRY not to be, but I just can't help it!!!"
"Don't worry about it," I said, "I like to know I'm cared about. Plus, the jealousy is hot, making you a little sexy spitfire!"
She gave me a sly grin. "You want to see how sexy this spitfire can be?"
"OH HELL YEAH I DO!" I said. We went upstairs to our apartment and spent the next couple of hours making up. After our make-up session, we showered and got dressed to go down to the celebration. We grabbed Danielle and made her come with us. She was dressed nice again, and was clean scrubbed. It seemed a little odd that she was dressed so nice, when she had no place to store clothes. I asked her about that as we walked.
"So Danielle," I said. "I was wondering, where do you keep your clothes? And where do you shower?" Like I said, I was never the master of tact!
She told me that she was able to use the showers at the gym early in the morning, and that she had worked out a deal with the area Laundromat so she could wash a set of clothes for free each day and wear fresh ones. Pretty decent set up, if you ask me; she has made friends with the entire neighborhood.
We head into the quaint Italian café where we were celebrating Roger's victory. Roger, Tracey, Harmony, Mark, Jes, and Collins are all there waiting for us. There was a violin quartet playing "The Suite from Water Music" in the background. Not really Italian, but it seemed to work in this place. We all ordered dinner, and discussed the win.
Collins seemed to be the only one out of place, everyone else was broken down by couple. I went over to him. He looked sad. Worn out. And not to mention, awfully old. He was the eldest of our little group, at almost 37 years old. I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. None of us had seen him in awhile, and we needed to catch up. He told me about work, and how tired he had been lately due to his HIV. He missed Angel still so terribly, and he had decided he was no longer going to stay in New York,
"It was her dream to go to Santa Fe. We talked about opening up a restaurant together. I am finishing up the semester here, and I am leaving in August. I have already been out several times to check the surroundings and look at properties. I made a down payment on a restaurant, and paid my first, last, and security on an apartment. New York has nothing to offer me anymore, and I know my time is limited. My mind is made up. I am leaving. August 15th is my leaving date. I have about a month and a half left. That is why you guys haven't heard from me in awhile."
He let me soak that all in. After a long pause, I spoke.
"You seem to be sure of this," I said. It was not a question, but a statement.
"I am. One hundred percent. I was meant to open a restaurant. I even have a name picked out. Collins' Angel."
"That's a pretty name," I told him.
"Thanks. It reminds me of her."
"When are you going to tell the others?"
"Soon. I don't want to ruin Roger's night."
"Understandable."
Shortly after that, I gave him another hug and a kiss on the cheek and got up to mingle with other friends. I promised we would visit him often, as often as we could.
Danielle was at the head of the table, taking in all the action. She seemed to never be without a drink. I assumed the bartender was picking up the tab, because no one seemed to be buying for her. It seemed kind of strange to me. I decided I would watch her closely. Everyone else seemed to be having a great time. We were all happy for Roger's victory. We celebrated until three that morning.
The next day began with me deciding to stalk Danielle, and see exactly what she did all day. After all, it was June. The show was ending to go on hiatus in a couple weeks anyway, so one day of not being there wouldn't hurt me! I left my house at the same time I leave every day, said hi to Danielle, and strolled down the street towards work. Joanne had left already as well. When I was safely out of view, I turned down the street and headed back toward my apartment to see what she did. I stole in through the back and climbed the stairs quietly. I crept to a window where I could get a good view of Danielle. For awhile, she just stayed there, feeding the cats and birds, and singing. About two hours of this(and looking at how few people tossed her money, I knew she wasn't buying her drinks from the other night with the change she had acquired!) I was bored. She appeared to do exactly what I had always seen her do. Feed birds and cats, and sing, wearing her rags. I stretched and yawned. Stalking was tiring work! I rested my head on the sill and tried to keep my eyes from closing. It was about three or four in the afternoon, and she had not moved. I debated on going to make something to eat. Suddenly, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Danielle was getting up! I watched her get up and head down the street. I flew down the stairs to follow her. I kept a safe distance, dodging in and around people. Plus, I was incognito. I watched as she walked down the street and headed into an upscale boutique. I was thoroughly confused, as I knew she could not afford to purchase anything from this store. I saw her go in…and then she went into the back. Now, I was perplexed.
When she emerged from the back room, she was fresh faced and shiny…like she had been at the party. She walked right over to the most expensive rack and started picking through it. I watched, flabbergasted from my hiding spot. When she had picked out several high-priced items, she went to try them on. I stayed in my spot. She came out a few minutes later, with the stack of clothes. She marched right over to the counter with the pile and the cashier began to scan them.
"That will be one thousand five hundred dollars and twenty two cents," the bored cashier told her.
Without batting an eyelash, Danielle whipped out a platinum credit card and presented it to the cashier.
"These will look awesome when I go to the clubs!" an overenthusiastic Danielle squealed.
"I'm sure." the cashier rolled her eyes and popped the bubble she had blown with her gum. She began to re-work the gum back into primo bubble-blowing mode.
Clubs? New clothes? What's going on here? She is supposed to be homeless. These are the thoughts that were going through my head. What exactly is this girl's deal? I had to find out as I strode to the front with a tee shirt in hand. I acted all casual as I lay my purchase on the counter and dug into my purse for my wallet. Danielle was oblivious to me, and kept babbling to the cashier. I finally accidentally-on-purpose bump into her.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed.
She turned to look at me, her lips forming the beginnings of the words "that's ok" when her eyes glimmered over in recognition. Her mouth hung open, frozen in position.
When she recovered from the initial shock, she asked me what I was doing there.
"Shopping," I replied. "This is my favorite boutique."
"But you had gone to work. I saw you leave! You're not due back until six this evening!"
"Ehh, I cut out early. We weren't working on my scenes, and I decided to go enjoy the day." I wasn't about to tell her that I had skipped work to see what she was up to!
I asked her what she was doing there. I was willing to bet a passerby did not drop off that platinum credit card and tell her to have her way with it!
Her eyes darted from side to side, as if someone was going to help her out of this sticky situation. Sure enough, the manager of the store, Miranda, came over to assess the situation.
"Miss Maureen, Miss Danielle, is there anything I can be of assistance with over here?" Miranda looked at us anxiously.
"No, Miranda, I'm all set," I say to her.
"Actually, Miranda, could you please see that my car is ready? I'm running late to my spa appointment."
"Certainly, Miss Danielle. I'll see to that right away. And it is so good to see you back in our establishment again! It has been so long!" Miranda hustled off.
"Miss Danielle? Car? Spa appointment? What is your deal? I thought you were homeless!!!"
"Okay. You caught me. I'm not really homeless. I was trying to embrace a roll as a homeless character for a movie I am starring in about a homeless person who gets discovered and ends up famous for her singing. I am Danielle De Marco."
And as soon as she said that, I realized that she was right! I had always pondered who she looked like, and as soon as she had said it, it clicked. She was the famous singer/songwriter turned actress(like they all do!) Danielle De Marco that was featured on every billboard in New York!
Now it was my turn to squeal.
"Oh my god, I can't believe I didn't recognize you!!! I thought you had looked vaguely familiar but I wasn't sure! And we became friends and you never told me! How come you decided to go shopping today?"
"Simple. My year was up. I could go back to living the normal life I was accustomed to again."
"And you really lived on the streets all that time? You never left? You really ate tuna every day? Where did you sleep? What about the bathroom?" I was full of questions.
She laughed at my curiosity.
"Yes, I lived on the streets. I never left. I ate tuna every day with the coins I collected. Well, I started eating more when I met you and you started sneakily giving me twenties! I slept on the stairs. The bathroom it depended. If I had to pee it would most likely have been right there on the stairs. Anything else, I could go to the Y and use their bathroom. I see the look on your face, you are wondering why I didn't just always go to the Y. And I don't blame you for asking. It seems gross to pee on the stairs. Truth is, it was far to run to the Y just to pee. And I wanted to get a full flavor of what it was like to be homeless. They all don't have the luxury of going to the Y for showers and bathroom breaks."
The look on my face was unconvinced. "I don't think I would go THAT far to embrace any role!!! I would still need the privacy of my own bathroom! You must be really dedicated! Then again, I only work on a sitcom that takes place in a house and office and buildings with bathrooms so I wouldn't have to become that involved!"
She laughed again at me. "I had to document everything I did for the writers and makeup artists, to make everything look legit. It wasn't that bad. Come on, let's go to the set. I'll show you around."
Sounded good to me, a sneak preview of a new movie? I was there! We linked arms and headed out of the boutique into her waiting car. We rode to the set where she introduced me to her director, her makeup artist, and her designer. She showed me various sets that mirrored New York streets exactly. It was a fun afternoon!
Afterwards we grabbed dinner at the Plaza and she had her car take me back to my apartment. She lived on the Upper East Side in a penthouse suite, so I was on the way to her place. She promised we would keep in touch and visit often. She wanted to take me on a tour of her penthouse. I laughed when she said that, and teased her because I had just seen that recent episode of her "crib" on MTV Cribs. She rolled her eyes and told me that was all her publicists' doing.
"Oh, so the indoor swimming pool, hot tub, indoor tennis court, 72 inch flat screen HD plasma television and movie screening room, and personal aquarium were, in actuality, super imposed in?" I teased.
"No, they were real. I just never wanted to do the gig. I don't like to appear show-offy. I want people to see me as real. I'll definitely show you it sometime in the near future though!"
With that I left the car. It had been the most glorious day I had had in a long time!
Two weeks later we had our wrap up show before we went on hiatus. We had completed one whole season! We had a wrap party that lasted well into the night, and they presented us with gold watches on chains for Roger and Mark, and a gold locket for me, that read, "Congratulations, Cast of 'Directing Our Lives' Season One!"
After the party, Roger, Mark, and I sat around discussing our plans for the upcoming two months of freedom. Mark began.
"Well, as you guys know, Jes is in a band. Her band has just accepted a year long tour of the United States, Canada, and Europe. They are starting in Europe and ending with a finale in New York. I decided I would tour with her for the next two months, because after that we don't know when we will see each other until she gets back. We are leaving in two days for Italy."
Roger and I were shocked. "Wow, Mark, that's not much notice!" I exclaimed.
"I know. But it was something I had just decided I was going to do. I can afford to go, and I don't have to leave my girlfriend."
"Good luck, man," Roger said.
"Yeah, good luck Mark!" I said.
Roger was up next. "Tracey and I have been getting along very well. We have been seeing each other for about seven months now. She is the one, I am sure of it. I am proposing to her tomorrow, at Central Park on a horse and carriage ride, as the sun begins to set, when it is all pink and purple. I got her a single, perfect diamond solitaire. It is two and a half carats. It's not as ornate as the one for Mimi but it is gorgeous and perfect for Tracey. She will love it. Want to see it?"
"Yes!" we both said.
He pulled the ring out of his pocket and presented it to us. It was as gorgeous as he had said. A Leo Diamond. Perfect clarity, color, cut, and carat in a platinum setting with the tiniest embellishments of cut diamonds in the sides of the open-detail band. We both exclaimed over the ring and agreed she would love it. Roger turned to Mark.
"The wedding will be during the first weekend in September. That was something we had talked about before, we both wanted a September wedding. Would you be back by then?"
"I should be, don't we start shooting the second Monday in September?"
"Yes, we do. Good, I'm glad. You know you are the only guy I want to be my best man. I couldn't do this without you!"
"Of course Roger, I'd be honored!"
"Roger, are you and Tracey planning on staying in the City once you are married?" I asked him.
"Actually, no. Harmony is getting older, and she will be crawling, walking, and running all over the place. We were already tossing around the idea of moving to Connecticut and buying an actual house with an enclosed backyard with lush, green grass, big enough for Harmony to play in. We were going to set up a play yard and jungle gym set for her. That way, I can commute to work and I know my daughter and wife-to-be are safe at home. Away from the noise and crime of the city. We are going to become a nice, suburban family!"
"That truly sounds great, Roger," I said.
They both turned to look at me. "What about you, Maureen? What are you and Joanne up to this summer?"
"Nothing really. Joanne is working a lot. We may take a mini vacation to California to watch a movie being made and to tour Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo. That would be nice and relaxing. Of course, we would hit up Rodeo Drive and Hollywood as well. We can stay with Danielle out there. Or we may go to Hawaii. Or we may come visit you and Jes on tour, Mark."
They both stared at me. "Danielle?"
Oh. I had failed to mention that Danielle was actually not homeless. I filled them in on what I had discovered, and how she had become a new best friend. They were both shocked and amazed. I also told them that Joanne and I were going to help Collins pack when the time came in August, and we were going to take some time out to help him get established in Santa Fe. Roger also stated that he would help us help Collins move. He was hoping to have bought his house by then as well, So we would all help him move, too.
"Wow, it sounds like everyone has interesting plans for the summer!" I said. They agreed. We soon parted to go home shortly after that.
Two days later, Joanne, Roger, Tracey, Harmony, Collins, Danielle, and I went to La Guardia Airport to see Jes and Mark off for Italy. They had lucked out and gotten a non-stop flight to Italy. The instruments were boarded carefully underneath the plane. We stood with them and hugged them until they had to board. Then we waited and watched the plane take off, until it was a tiny silver speck in the sky. We left the airport a much quieter group than we had been when we had arrived. They had promised to call when they arrived, and send emails, of course. Danielle noticed the engagement ring on Tracey's left hand, and pronounced her congratulations. We decided to take them out as a celebration. That livened the mood a bit. We went down to the good old Life Café and had a couple of drinks, desserts, and appetizers. They told us how their house hunting was officially beginning tomorrow, in Stamford, CT. Roger didn't care how he got to work, he had a personal limousine driver and helicopter access if need be. We all wished them luck.
The summer for me was pretty much what I said it was going to be. A run-of-the-mill summer at home, relaxing. Enjoying life. Joanne and I did take those trips out to California, and Hawaii, and Italy. We had a rocking time in Italy, watching Jes perform with her band, and eating authentic pasta dishes. California was nice, with Danielle showing us the sites. We ate at the Brown Derby. Hawaii was very peaceful and pretty, and we did not want to leave!
Finally, it was the week before Collins was about to move. Joanne, Roger, and I spent the entire week helping Collins pack up everything carefully, in neatly labeled boxes so he would know what to unpack and where to put things. That weekend, the moving men were coming on Friday. We were flying down on Sunday. That gave the moving men enough time to drive down there.
The moving men arrived right on time—always a good sign—and we got to work packing up the van. It took two hours to move all the boxes, and another hour to move all the furniture. The moving men took off, and assured us they would be in Santa Fe by three in the afternoon on Sunday. It was a thirty-hour drive, and that gave us enough time to get settled in.
We boarded our plane @ six am on August 11th. We were leaving from La Guardia, and had a stop over to change planes in Houston, TX, We had a four-hour layover, which was enough time to let us get off the plane, stretch our legs, and get something to eat. We boarded the flight in Houston at twelve thirty pm, and that was non-stop to the Albuquerque Airport. We arrived in Albuquerque at one thirty-five pm. That was plenty of time for us to get our rental car and drive the hour from Albuquerque International Sunport to arrive at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, that we were staying in in Santa Fe. Collins had purchased a house, but obviously there was no furniture in it as of yet, so we had no place to sleep. He had recommended this hotel, as he had made many trips in the past months to get to Santa Fe and check out accommodations and he had said this was the best. We grabbed our bags and headed to get our car. We had rented a mid size SUV.
Roger decided to drive, as he also was pretty familiar with Santa Fe, having lived there for a span of time. We arrived at the hotel at two thirty, which was excellent timing. We unpacked our bags, Joanne and I had one room, Collins and Roger the other. Joanne and I noted the pool and spa that we were definitely going to enjoy during our stay!
We piled back into the SUV, and Collins took over the driving, so we could get to his house. We arrived at the house in record time. The moving men had just arrived. We started to unpack. We had all the boxes and the furniture arranged in the house in about four hours. The moving men left, and Joanne and I found the box of cleaning supplies and started to give the house a thorough cleaning job, as the boys started opening boxes and placing the furniture that wasn't already placed accordingly by the moving men.
We started with the kitchen, so we could get the dishes and pans straightened out. Then we hit the bathrooms, the bedrooms, and the living room. Once everything was sparkling, we started to unpack. Roger and Collins at this point had opened ever box and placed them in each room. It took us the next several hours to organize everything and stack the empty boxes in the basement. Collins whipped out his cell phone to order pizza and soda and have it delivered to us. His electricity was already on, as well as his phone line, and his cable was just waiting for his television.
It took us to the early morning hours, but everything got straightened out and placed the way he wanted it. Collins decided he would stay in house, and we headed back to the hotel, because he did not have any guest rooms.
The next day, Joanne and I got up early to have breakfast and soak in the hot tub before we went to Collins' house. We went downstairs in our robes and grabbed muffins, bagels, donuts, coffee, and juice. We ate our breakfast while lounging on our chairs under the sun in the courtyard. After that, we stepped out of our robes and into the pool for a few laps. It was nice to have a pool specifically set up to do laps. We swam for about an hour, and then we climbed out of the pool to soak in the out door hot tub. We knew Roger was going to get a few rounds of golf in before we all met up at noon to see Collins.
Joanne and I headed out of the hot tub at about eleven, and went back to our room. She started to run the shower, and I started to strip out of my wet bathing suit. She was already naked, and was ready to step into the shower. She looked so beautiful, with water droplets glistening off her skin from her wet hair dripping onto her shoulder, I could hardly resist. I allowed her to climb in the tub, and draw the curtain. She had always had issues with taking a shower together. We had never done that in all the time we had been together. She had no issues to brushing her teeth or hair while I sat on the toilet, but for whatever reason she was hung up on a shower for two. But now, I couldn't take it. I let her soap up and rinse off, the entire time watching her shadow in the shower. Five minutes later, I rose, naked, from the closed toilet lid, and slowly pulled the curtain back. I climbed into the tub to stand behind her, and began rubbing her back. She looked at me in shock, but I silenced her with a powerful kiss, and she relented and allowed me to touch her body. I ran my hand over her smooth, wet skin, and she didn't make so much a peep. She allowed me to wash her hair for her, and she let me use the vanilla-scented shower gel on the scrubby, which I ran in delicate circles all over her body. Then she got adventurous and did the same to me. After that, she never had any issues with a shower a deux!
It was a good thing we had left the pool area at eleven. We did not step out of the shower until eleven forty five. We barely had enough time to throw on clothes before Roger was knocking on our door. I asked how is round of golf was. He said it was relaxing, and it was good to hit the ball around again. Golf had always been a passion of his since he was a kid. Then he asked what we had been up to.
"Oh you know. Breakfast, a swim, and the hot tub." I replied with a giggle and a wink at Joanne.
Roger caught us looking at each other. "You guys seem awfully giddy, anything else happen?" he asked, with interest that every male shows when they think two females have gotten together.
"Well lets just say, Joanne is no longer opposed to a shower for two!" I exploded into laughter with Joanne.
Roger looked at us amused. "Joanne, I knew you would not be able to resist her advances for that for too long! She has always loved the shower for two idea!"
Joanne beamed and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "And I can't think of anyone better to inaugurate me into the world of the double shower!"
"Let's get going to Collins!" Roger chuckled.
We spent the next week setting up Collins' Angel. It was a nice restaurant. He had set it up old fashioned style, and would serve traditional foods, everything from sandwiches and chips to full dinners like chicken parm. He also was going to have a breakfast menu. His décor was pink, black, and white checks, 50's diner style. He even had a jukebox in the corner that played a range of songs, from 50's and 60's to the sounds of Today's Hottest Artists. Something for everyone's taste! He had light boxes and light up signs tastefully set up all over the restaurant, with memorabilia from old TV shows and movies and sports, as well as old toys and clothes hanging all over the restaurant, kind of like Planet Hollywood style. He also included a large, framed photo of Mark, Roger, Mimi, Benny, Joanne, himself, Angel, and I, as part of his décor. Over the photo was a hand made sign that said, "No Day But Today." That made us reminisce!
We stayed for his grand opening, and it was a smash!! He could not fit another person in the seats! Everyone gave rave reviews, and restaurant critics stumbled over each other to give the best write ups! We could not stay to enjoy the success, because our plane was leaving the next day at one fifty-five in the afternoon. So we had to be up early and at the airport by eleven. We had to leave the hotel by nine, to make the hour drive, return the car, and check our luggage. We all hugged Collins good bye at the gate, and he assured us he would be back in two weeks to see Roger get married. He stated that he never could miss the wedding of one of his best friends!
Again, we could not get a non-stop flight, so we were going to be arriving back in good old Houston, TX, at five pm, for about two hours this time, and then we would be boarding at six fifty-nine pm to head back to La Guardia, where we would arrive at eleven twenty-two pm. What a long day!
The next two weeks were insanely busy, we were helping Roger and Tracey with the final wedding arrangements—setting up the chairs and the tent for the outdoor wedding they were going to have at The Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. They had specially requested The Botanical Gardens to be reserved for their special day. That meant that anyone who was not a member of the wedding party or invited guest was not allowed to roam The Gardens. That would make for a lot of unhappy tourists!
Finally the big day was here! They were getting married under a beautiful archway entwined with pink-and-white roses that were set up on a white carpet in the center of The Gardens, with a four-piece string quartet tastefully playing as Tracey and her bridesmaids walked in. Too bad Harmony was still too little to be a flower girl! Joanne and I, and Danielle and Jes were Tracey's bridesmaids. We wore a lavender sundress, and had white baby roses in our hair. Roger's groomsmen were Mark and Collins, of course, and he had two more guys he stayed close to from back when he had his band days. It was a beautiful day, and a lovely ceremony. The reception was a two-parter, after the wedding guests were allowed to walk the beautiful Gardens, eat the wonderful meal that was planned especially by Tracey, (Not cooked by her though. Roger refused to let her lift a finger on their big day!) dance, and relax. When it grew darker, guests were being taken by limousine to an evening cruise, they had rented the sleekest luxury cruise ship New York City had to offer, The New York City Harbor Lights Cruise! Normally, it was a two hour cruise, but Roger and Tracey had paid to rent the boat out for the entire night, returning to the docks at about seven in the morning. We were due on the boat by eight pm. We arrived at the dock to see a gorgeous cruise ship adorned with many twinkling tiny white lights. A big banner that read, "Congratulations Roger and Tracey" hung across the cabin on the ship's top deck. Complimentary alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages were available in the bottom enclosed deck, as well as various desserts and the wedding cake. The whole ship was a dance floor on water, as music pumped through the speakers on every deck. We danced the night away in style!
Roger and Tracey were going to honeymoon in Tahiti. We were going to take the baby while they spent the next two weeks relaxing and enjoying life. When they came back, they were all set to move into their house. They found a nice big house with plenty of land and an in-ground pool in Astoria, New York, that was close enough for Roger's commute, and Harmony's freedom to explore.
The show was starting back up, luckily we had filmed enough new season episodes at the end of last season to cover the fact that Roger was away (Even though all the magazines had spilled that Roger got married over the break! Damn paparazzi!)
Mark was back, and seemed a bit lost without Jes, but they spoke every day, and she was doing well. She was due back in the states in seven months, and he knew he was going to fly wherever she was on the weekends, until she got back to New York. They eventually got married, and they have now been together officially for twelve years, and are still going strong.
Collins was doing well in Santa Fe, we talked often, and he had gotten a lot of his spirit back. The move was doing well for him! He said it made him feel like he was closer to Angel in that sense. He lived the rest of his days in Santa Fe, working in his restaurant until he died, nine years later. He died, appropriately, on the day Angel had died ten years earlier. We all went down there for the funeral, and at the wake we had noticed he had died with a smile on his face. We knew he was at peace and with Angel at last!
Roger and Tracey were married for the next twenty years. Unfortunately, Roger's HIV turned into full blown AIDS, and he died at forty-five years old. They had never had another child, as Roger was too careful and did not want to infect Tracey. When he died, he had had it arranged that Tracey and Harmony would be taken care of. Harmony, at twenty-one years old now, was beautiful. She had her mother's hair with her father's blue eyes. She was very exotic looking, and intelligent. She had just graduated from Julliard, as a dance major, with a minor in vocal. She certainly was a good mix of her parents!
We had finally gotten wind of Mimi and Benny. They had ended up together, a bickering couple that were never happy. Mimi lived to be sixty five years old, before she too succumbed to AIDS. Benny immediately picked back up with trying to get women right after she died, even though he was seventy! We never told them that we knew what was going on with them, and they never contacted us either. We only knew because Danielle(who turned out to be an awesome friend!) had a mutual friend who knew them and told her, and she in turn told us.
Danielle has continued in her charmed life, going from songwriter/singer to actress to director. She has made over forty feature films, and has acted in over one hundred movies. She eventually married her associate producer, and they raised a family of four children (who of course immediately went into the movie star life, and started appearing in children's films pretty much from birth!) She also has four puppies. She has moved from her penthouse into a large house on Staten Island, quite near Tracey and Harmony.
As far as Joanne and I? We did eventually get married, and we adopted several children. We moved into Danielle's old penthouse, and we stayed there. Nothing too exciting happened with us. After the show cancelled eight years later, we had more than enough to live on. Joanne could have retired as well, but she chose to work until she was what she felt "proper retirement age." She retired at fifty-five! We have traveled all over the world! We have seen every major site that there is to see. We have been to the Louvre, the Great Pyramids, the Amazon, the Wall of China…you name it!
While some of my friends have drifted away, passed away, moved away, and some have stayed nearby, I have learned that you never forget them. Friends are staples in your life. You grow with them, and learn from them, and even if you lose contact with them or disagree with them, you never forget them and the time they spent with you. My friends and I, we have been through hell and back, good times, bad times, and everything in between. We have seen more than our fair share of death and sadness, and well as births, adoptions, and happiness. We sometimes wonder why we had been dealt the hand we had, but we know we would not have been given anything we could not handle either individually or as a group. And that is what is key about life. Life goes on, people come, people go, but you are always surrounded by people who can make your life that much better. I know Angel inspired that saying, and we have always been eternally grateful for her support and friendship, the short time she was here. It was nice to always have the support and love of friends. Even when we were poor, practically living in the streets, barely affording to feed ourselves, the thing we could always rely on was our friendships, and that is what got us through the struggles. None of us ever forgot the friendships we had made, and the people who had been there for us. That is what made us rich, non-monetary rich, but at the same time richer than those without friends. And that was the most precious memory to hold onto, for life. Friendships. That's what got me through my life. I think back to that framed photo and slogan in Collins' restaurant. "No Day But Today." And I can't help but think, that that is exactly how everyone should take life. Because you may only have today. And if you take it for granted, you may not have it anymore.
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