28-
It's been over 2 weeks and Maggie still can't work up the courage to leave her corner.
She pays off El to lie to Penny and say they're rooming again. She lightens her client load, only going every other day or even less. Max doesn't complain about the sudden downturn in income. Lucy keeps 'accidentally' leaving help wanted fliers at their apartment.
Sadie and Jojo visit. Sadie gets Maggie to sing and then asks her if she'd be interested in a career as a backup singer. Maggie knows for a fact she can't sing for shit.
Then the third week comes and Max has a suggestion.
"Why don't you just go cold turkey?"
"What d'you mean?" Maggie pauses midway in the process of putting on lipstick. Her hand hovers in the air, unsure where to go.
"I mean, stop going. Completely." Max is standing in the doorway, Maggie watches him in the mirror.
"I-I can't." Maggie shakes her head, but puts the lipstick down on the dresser.
Max rolls his eyes and leans on the doorframe, "Of course you can."
"We need the money."
"We can make it without the money."
"You just want me to have sex with you again." Maggie picks up the lipstick again and applies it quickly.
"While true, that's not the reason."
"Then what is?"
Max sighs and walks forward; Maggie keeps her eyes on the mirror. "I've seen you Mags. You're miserable there. When you leave you look like you're on death row and when you come back it's like someone just saved your life."
Maggie opens her mouth to protest, but Max cuts her off, "When you're with Lucy or me, you're happy, I know. But Maggie you're wasting your life there. You don't even like it anymore, do you?"
"I like it just fine." She looks down guiltily at the dresser, unable to even make eye contact in the mirror."
Max snorts, "Well that's a lie if I've ever heard one."
"Argh!" Maggie wheels around angrily, eyes wild, "Fine, I don't like it anymore. And fine, I'll go fucking cold turkey." She pokes him in the chest, "But if you think I'm filling up my extra time sleeping with you, you can just go take a fucking cold shower right now, because it is not happening!"
Max just smiles. Maggie rolls her eyes and storms off into the kitchen to get a beer.
A/N- I love Maggie's last line
Review please!
