Vicki knew Henry lay dead to the world for the day. After catching a cab, she dialed Mike's number to check on him and make sure things were okay.
"Hey Mike, wanna have lunch?" Vicki surprised herself by asking Mike to lunch.
"Yeah..sure, everything okay?" Mike asked on the other end.
"Depends on your definition of okay," Vicki laughed nervously into the phone. Mike pressed but Vicki brushed him off and told him she'd see him at lunch. They planned to meet over Chinese in a couple of hours. Vicki then dialed the hospital to see if Coreen was still there. She wasn't. She gave the cabbie new directions heading to Coreen's apartment instead. During the drive over, Vicki thought alot about everything that had transpired. She needed to think so many things through. First and foremost was the situation involving the baby. If she kept it, what would happen to her? Would her body change? Would the child be immortal as Henry is and have to watch her grow old and die, would she grow old and die? She was pretty certain this was one of those medical mysteries that had never been explored.
Next on her list was Henry and how she felt. How did she feel about him? She had hurt him and Coreen for that matter. They just didn't understand her and maybe they never would but her life was as strange as it gets. She never had much stability, no family to speak of other than her mother, her father..that was a non-subject and now a baby. Vicki shook her head, there were too many thoughts in there. Suddenly, the cabbie was talking to her, bringing her back to earth.
"Ma'am? This it?" he pointed to Coreen's building.
"Yes, thanks," she handed him the fair.
"You want me to wait?" the polite an asked.
"No thanks, I have no idea how long I'll be," Vicki sighed.
After entering her building, Vicki decided to take the stairs. Although she was in great shape, it was healthier. Of course she realized she was prolonging the inevitable. Standing outside of Coreen's door, she lifted her hand to knock but stopped. Tilting her head somewhat, she could hear, what was that she was hearing? Finally, she knocked three times and waited.
"Who is it?" a male voice called.
"Great," Vicki muttered. She hadn't stopped to think Charlie might be here.
"Uh..it's me," Vicki called.
Silence greeted her for what seemed an eternity. The unlocking of the door seemed to take forever too and Vicki waited patiently. She didn't want to do this anymore than Coreen wanted her in there, she was sure of it.
"Come in," Charlie motioned curtly. He pissed Vicki off with his attitude but Vicki also knew she deserved it, just a little.
"Thanks," Vicki nodded. Coreen was sitting on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her legs.
"Sorry I can't come in today, doctor's orders," Coreen handed her a note.
"I'm not here for that Coreen. Can we talk?" Vicki asked as she motioned between the two of them.
"Sure, sit," Coreen offered,"Oh, where are my manners, would you like something to drink?" Damn this girl for being so nice, Vicki thought to herself.
"No, I'm good," she answered.
Charlie stood behind Coreen, arms crossed and eyes never leaving Vicki.
"Um..privately? Can we talk privately?" Vicki looked at Charlie.
"Yes, Charlie, would you give us some privacy?" Coreen asked.
"Yeah, I'll be outside if you need me," Charlie narrowed his eyes at Vicki. Never in her life had Vicki wanted to beat the shit out of someone so badly or at least, not in the last few days. After Charlie left, Vicki cleared her throat and tried to get the nerve up to start the conversation.
Coreen saved her, "Look, you don't need to say anything. I'm sorry; I'm the one who should've minded my own business. I'm not surprised you're upset, really." Coreen's cheeks flushed red and Vicki felt worse than she did when she arrived.
"Coreen," Vicki sighed out, "it's not anyone's fault. I'm not here to place blame, hell I'm the one being a royal bitch. I will admit I'm pissed, was pissed.." Vicki furrowed her brow wondering how she actually felt right now, "whatever, that's water under the bridge."
"Or chocolate melted away?" Coreen's eyes twinkled. Vicki stared at her and simultaneously, the two women burst into laughter.
"Yeah, that too. Look," Vicki was serious again, "I am sorry for saying the things I did. I know you well enough to know that you're not a master manipulator. You thought you were helping someone you cared for, I get that," Vicki shrugged.
"Two people I care for," Coreen corrected her. Vicki's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. This whole emotional thing was not her bag and she avoided situations like this for a reason.
"Besides, Henry said it didn't work, sorry to put you through all of that," Coreen bowed her head and sniffed. Shit. She's crying, Vicki thought to herself. Then it struck her, Henry told her it didn't work. Why would he do that?
"He...he told you it didn't work?" Vicki asked.
Coreen wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands, "Yeah, he was so sad too."
"Today?" Vicki pressed.
Coreen nodded, "Yeah, but he said you were happy and your happiness was all that mattered."
"Right," Vicki muttered as her mind tried to figure out why he would lie.
The two chatted a bit more, Vicki asked if she needed anything and then grilled her about Charlie. Coreen's face turned red while Vicki questioned her. She was treating her like a big sister rather than an employer.
"..I'm just saying, Coreen, he'd better not hurt you," Vicki made a fist and slammed it into her open palm. Coreen knew Vicki was teasing on some level but she also knew Vicki was serious too.
"Thanks," Coreen swallowed hard trying to suppress the tears yet again. Vicki told Coreen to take all the time off she needed and get some rest. When Vicki opened the door to leave, Charlie was standing guard.
"Vicki, I really care for her," Charlie told Vicki.
"I know," Vicki nodded.
"I won't hurt her, I promise," he added.
Vicki took a step forward, hands in pockets and a slight scary smile on her face, "I know because if you do, I'll hurt you." With that, she turned and left.
Vicki could hear the audible gulp from Charlie as she walked away..