I put Maureen gently down on the loft's large aluminum table so that I could look her over. At first glance, it looked as though she was going through the same sort of withdrawal symptoms that I had seen Mimi and Roger through. But Maureen doesn't do drugs…does she? I don't think so. I gently asked her what was wrong, but she turned her face away, hugging her knees tightly and rocking on the table. I rubbed her back gently and she flinched at my touch. I didn't know what to do. Roger and Mimi had made there way over to the table and were looking her over with concern clearly evident in their eyes. I sat down beside her, feeling utterly at a loss, not being able to figure out what was wrong with Maureen, not knowing what to do to help. Ordinarily I might not have thought anything of her state, her hangovers could get really awful sometimes. But she had lost so much weight and she wouldn't even look me in the eyes, the slightest touch made her leap a mile. Her body was suddenly wracked by a coughing fit, and I helped her to the bathroom, where her stomach expelled its already mostly depleted contents. Her arms shook uncontrollably as she gripped the toilet. I lifted her again and returned her to the common area, watching her closely. Maureen had always been the strong one, always able to take care of herself. I had never seen her this physically and emotionally weak before in my life. The fact that she went from smiling at me when she first woke up to this concerned me even more. What started all of this? What happened? I remembered that Maureen had never been one to eat much, to the point where we would actually have to remind her to do so, which Joanne had done a good job of, although I couldn't remember Maureen ever actually submitting to the request. Could this be a result of that? Roger brought a blanket over from the couch and gently wrapped it around Maureen's shivering, shaking form, and she pulled it tightly around herself.
"Mark, what the fuck is going on here?"
"I have no idea. And she won't tell me."
"She would choose a time like this to be difficult." Now Maureen spoke weakly from where she was sitting, which was about three feet away.
"Roger, shut up." Roger's eyes softened immensely as he saw the hurt in her eyes, the fear. He moved closer to her, not knowing what to make of the situation. "Maureen…I…" he reached out to touch her, and she flinched when his hand was only halfway there. He cautiously and gingerly placed two fingers beneath her chin, lifting it so that he could look her in the eye. Mimi walked up to me and asked me the same thing that Roger had. I turned to face her, my face streaked with tears, though I was unsure of exactly why—perhaps because of Maureen's destroyed state of being, or maybe that Roger was doing so much of a better job with Maureen than I could, but probably a combination of the two. Mimi hugged me, and then we proceeded to watch Roger's attempt at getting a response out of Maureen so that we knew what course of action to take. Maureen had begun to cry, trying to turn away from Roger, who held her in a forceful embrace, which she eventually succumbed to. How is it that Roger can be better at this than I am? He's so rough around the edges. He really is a great guy though, underneath his hardened heart. He's just scared and scarred, but beneath that he is one of the most sensitive people on the planet. Still, I wish that I could be the one to comfort her, though I suppose it doesn't really matter. Maureen pushed Roger away, attempting to stand up. I caught her as she was about to hit the floor, and she smiled at me sheepishly. Again, not a look one was accustomed to getting from the drama queen.
"Maureen, I know that I asked you this already, but what's wrong? We want to help you out, but we can't unless you tell us what's going on." She motioned to my bedroom, so I helped her to walk over there and sit on my bed. Then I closed the door.
Maureen gently slid her shirt off, which shocked me, although I quickly saw what she was trying to show me. Initially, I was distracted by the fact that you could see all of her bones through her skin, but then I saw the grotesque discolorations and lacerations. Her upper body was bruised and even cut in some places. I sharply inhaled at the sight, which caused her to become self-conscious. I extended an arm to prevent her from moving, and just took in the horrific sight.
"Sweetie, how did this happen? Who did this to you? Was it Joanne?" She dropped her head in her hands. She put her shirt back on quickly and opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out, but rather, a steady stream of tears flowed down her face, so I pulled her into a very gently hug, so as not to hurt her. "Shh…it's okay. You don't have to tell me right now. It's okay." She stood up on shaking legs, and for a moment I thought that she was going to try to leave, but she slid her pants off, revealing badly bruised thighs and torn underwear. She pulled her pants back on quickly, ashamed and tried to run out of my room, but I stood between her and the door, and she sat back down on the bed. She sat there for a long moment, looking down at her hands, twisting one of her rings continuously around her finger. I put my hands over hers, and she looked up into my eyes, but couldn't hold my gaze.
"Mark…I…I…I didn't cheat on her. I…I mean, there was this guy…but I…didn't…he…was this guy from…her office…and I…was…went to visit her…stupid, because she doesn't like that…he…he…threatened me…he had a knife…and I…we were in the elevator…and I…he…and Joanne…she didn't believe me…and…I was crying…and…she…still…thought that…so…I got…frustrated…so I just…told her…she was right…that…I…cheated…" she completely broke down, sobbing, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I held her close until her breathing became regular, and realized that she had fallen asleep. I gently disentangled myself from her, and tucked her in to my bed, kissing her on the forehead before leaving her there.
Author's note: Thanks for the comments. Keep them coming :) Sorry if this isn't the most original story, but I decided I'd try my hand at it. The idea wouldn't leave me alone. It's definitely gonna get more complex, and input would be greatly appreciated.