Maureen came out of the bedroom with her denim jacket on and her purse slung over her shoulder.
"Where are you going?" asked Dan.
"I was going to go shopping with Mimi and Angel. Is that okay with you?" Dan stood up.
"No, it isn't." Maureen stopped and turned around.
"Excuse me?"
"You
asked if it was okay, and I said no it isn't. I want you to stay
here with me."
"Well, I already told them that I'd go. I
didn't know that I had to get your fucking permission!" Dan
grabbed Maureen's arm and twisted it behind her back.
"Don't talk to me like that," he growled. Maureen broke free of his grip and shoved him.
"Don't treat me like a piece of shit!" Dan backhanded Maureen, causing the diva to stumble backwards.
"You are a piece of shit right now! You made plans without me know and without thinking that maybe I wanted to spend some time with my girlfriend." Maureen's face fell. Maybe she should have talked to Dan before making plans.
"I'm sorry." Maureen rubbed her cheek. It hurt, but she felt no anger towards Dan. She deserved it…or so she thought.
A few weeks later, Mimi called Joanne. The dancer was getting worried about Maureen's weird behavior. The Bohemians hadn't seen Maureen in three or four weeks. The last time anyone had seen her, she had a black eye. Maureen insisted that she had walked into a door, but nobody believed her. Joanne picked up the phone after several rings.
"Hello?"
"Jo, its Mimi."
"Oh hey Meems, what's up?" Mimi paused.
"I'm calling about Maureen." Mimi heard Joanne sigh. "I'm really worried about her, Jo. She's been acting really weird lately."
"I know, I'm worried about her too, but there's nothing we can do about it."
"I think Dan's hitting her though! There must be something you can do about it," Mimi cried.
"My hands are tied.
Unless Mo tells us that Dan's hitting her, there's nothing any of
us can do to help her."
"Let the drama queen handle her own
issues!" Cat called in the background. Mimi rolled her eyes. Cat
obviously didn't realize that the Bohemians were a family. One
person's problem is everyone's problem; that's what a
family is.
"We'll keep an eye on Maureen and talk to her if she keeps acting like this."
"Okay, thanks Jo."
"Anytime Mimi. Bye."
"Bye." Mimi hung up the phone and closed her eyes. No matter what Joanne said, she was worried about Maureen.
Joanne hung up the phone and turned to face Cat. Cat was just sitting there flipping through a magazine.
"What is your problem?" Joanne demanded. Cat looked up. "Something is seriously wrong with Maureen, and you keep insulting her!"
"You don't know that something's wrong with Maureen. For all you know, she really did walk into a door; she was probably drunk. You worry too much." Joanne grabbed her jacket and briefcase.
"I'll be down at the office working. I'll be back later." Without another word, Joanne left. She couldn't believe how selfish Cat was! She was worse than Maureen! Maureen cared when something was wrong with one of their friends. Cat, Cat could care less about anyone but herself.
As Joanne left, Cat rolled her eyes. Joanne worried too much. Maureen was a big girl. If something were wrong with her, she'd tell someone. Cat knew the real reason as to why Joanne was so worried about Maureen. Joanne still loved Maureen. Cat knew that that was why the lawyer never said, 'I love you.' She didn't love her, and everyone knew that.