The Moment of Truth
Chloe stared at the hairs.
Mi: (smugly) Well… I'm waiting.
Ch: (coolly) For what?
Mi: For an explanation to why your hairs were in Brady's bed. Judging from that mop of yours, you must shed like crazy, but I digress. How did (pointing to Chloe's hair) those hairs work their way to a restricted area, namely Brady's bedroom?
Ch: How do you know that they're mine?
Mi: (sarcastically) Oh, you're right. Hey, maybe they're Mr. Black's, since he's the only brunette in the household. Yeah, while you were gone, he went through a mid-life crisis. Grew out his hair, until it was three feet long. He even wore it in a ponytail, like Eurotrash or that guy who sells exercise equipment on infomercials. Maybe he just had a haircut, having his three-foot mane pruned. Some of the strands may have crossed into Brady's sheets while in the laundry.
Ch: (sighing) What I meant was… (avoiding eye contact) Brady may have a 'friend'…
Mi: A 'friend' he met in the last half hour? Because, you see, I watched as our innocent, unsuspecting Belle help him change his sheets this morning. And the fact the sheets were brand new… (smirking) Give it up, Chloe. You're busted.
Chloe became pale.
Mi: (indignant) 'Letting the dumping ride'… what a load! Tell me, Chloe… when did you become okay with the dumping, before or after you made out with Brady?
Chloe remained silent.
Mi: (smugly) You're at a lost for words? Oh, I should be happy, but I am curious about your explanation.
Chloe remained silent.
Mi: You are a piece of work. On your way to see Belle, after a four month absence, you scoop her older brother, who happens to be your boyfriend's…
Ch: (firmly) Phillip is my ex-boyfriend!
Mi: (sarcastically) Yeah, your 'ex'-boyfriend. You're scooping your ex-boyfriend's nephew. (laughing) Oh, this is perfect.
Ch: (coolly) What's going on, between Brady and I, is our business, not that I'm admitting to anything.
Mi: You don't have to, you're already busted. (laughing) You are a miracle, Chloe, an absolute miracle. You blew into town, decked out in black, totally ragged out. Then you do an Audrey Hepburn and snagged 'Killer Dimples' Kiriakis. (rolling her eyes) You break up and make up and on and on… Then you come here, today, after snubbing everyone for months, and you managed to snag the 'holy grail' of hotties…
Ch: (surprised) Holy grail?
Mi: The Professor's influence… you snagged him, while looking like a total rag. (sighing in frustration) You've come full circle. You're living a dog's life, rather, a female dog's life. Tell me Chloe, did you really come over to see Belle or were you feeling 'peckish'?
Ch: (annoyed) Knock it off, Mimi.
Mi: (snidely) Did you tell Brady to 'knock it off'?
Chloe glared at Mimi.
Mi: (resigned) Well, it's over.
Ch: Don't tell me you're feeling sentimental about Phillip and I?
Mi: (eyes flashing) Phillip and you? Hell no! I meant my fantasies about Brady. All those years of crushing and lusting over him, even when he was all legs… (sighing longingly) Even when he was mean and nasty… he was my eye candy. Eye candy that I could tame or reform with the trueness of my love. I'm with Kevin and intend to stay with him, but in my mind, Brady was waiting in the wings for me to be free. (glaring at her) He was mine, ever since I first saw him when I was five, but the thought of him… with you. (sighing) It's gone, because of you. Just like Phillip, you've ruined Brady for me because I can see you destroying him just like Phillip. Some say eye candy is eye candy, but I prefer mine to have some substance, some strength, some semblance of taste.
Ch: (skeptical) So you're really not going to fantasize about Brady?
Mimi was silent.
Mi: (beginning to snicker) No. That baby's still there. It's just going to be tougher, now you're in the picture.
Ch: Who says I'm in the picture?
Mi: (incredulous) So you nearly did it with him, and you don't have any guarantees?
Ch: (defensive) I didn't say anything about 'doing it'.
Mi: You didn't have to. You're worrying about where you stand, which makes me think something, beyond kissing, happened. If he only kissed you, you would have taken it as a one-time thing, a fluke. No, Chloe, something happened. Maybe to you, something deep. (smiling) But nothing as deep as the trouble you're in. (amused) Damn, this just gets better and better. You're definitely going to lose Phillip and you don't have Brady to lose. And let's not mention Belle, who will be upset that you've hurt Phillip and used Brady as a tool… Man, I'd hate to be you. I take that back. I would have killed to be you, a half hour ago, but now…
Ch: Again, Phillip is my ex-boyfriend, therefore I can't lose him.
Mi: (dismissive) Whatever, Chloe. But you do have several things to worry about, like Belle's reaction, where Brady fits into your life and exactly how and from whom will Phillip find out about your 'thing' with Brady. (coyly) I nominate… me.
Ch: (coolly) I second that nomination.
Mi: (mockingly) Oh, you're such a chicken!
Ch: (dryly) Actually, I'm not, but this seems to mean so much to you. But before you think about how this will ruin me, you really should think how this will ruin you.
Mi: Ruin me? What have you been smoking?
Ch: Seriously, think about it. If you were writing a paper 'If Mimi tells Phillip about Chloe and Brady'… what would it say? Think critically.
Mi: (thinking) Phillip would be mad… at Mimi.
Ch: (calmly) Why, Mimi?
Mi: Because Mimi's stirring up trouble between him and Chloe, just like the Operagirl.net thing.
Ch: (calmly) And what about Belle?
Mi: Belle would be angry and disappointed with Mimi. She would see that Mimi hasn't changed or grown up. And she would hate that Mimi was the catalyst for more conflict between Brady and Phillip. (looking at Chloe) Dammit, you've got me over a barrel!
Ch: (calmly) No, I don't. The fact is, this isn't Phillip's business. We've broken up, months ago, therefore I haven't cheated on him. (resigned) Just like his 'encounter' with Cynthia, except I'm not going to lie about it.
Mi: (suspicious) Wait a minute, Chloe. How much do you know about Phillip and Cynthia?
Ch: (icily) More than enough, but that's a topic for a different time. My main concern, right now, is Belle.
Mi: (taunting her) But Brady is a close second?
Ch: (covering) No comment.
Chloe sat on the bed as Mimi processed everything she's learned.
Mi: (suspicious) Hold it. Why are you so concerned about Belle?
Be: (opening the door) Did I hear my name?
Belle looked at Mimi and Chloe.
Be: What's up with you two?
Mi: (covering) What do you mean, Belle?
Be: (suspicious) You two have the strangest looks on your faces. What's going on?
Mi: (feigning innocence) Nothing's going on, with me, but I have a feeling that something is going on with Chloe, her being the 'woman of mystery' and everything. (looking at Chloe) Am I wrong, Chloe?
Ch: (taking a breath) Actually, you're not.
Be: (sitting next to Chloe) Chloe, what's going on?
Ch: (looking at Belle) I'm sorry, Belle, but there is something I have to tell you and you're not going to like it. (taking a deep breath) I've been lying to you, about many things. Technically, they've been omissions, but I shouldn't split hairs.
Mimi smiled, in anticipation.
Be: (concerned) What have you lied about?
Ch: Something… pretty major.
Be: (glancing at Mimi) Chloe, are you sure you want to talk about this, right now?
Ch: (looking at Mimi) You mean, in front of Mimi? (looking at Belle) Yeah. The whole town will hear about this, eventually.
Mi: (snidely) Aren't you being a bit dramatic? (stopping herself) I'm sorry. (sitting on a chair) So… what have you lied about?
Ch: For starters, my whereabouts for the last few months.
Be: Is this about your independent study?
Ch: (sighing) Actually, there wasn't an independent study.
Mi: (eyes gleaming) There wasn't?
Be: (concerned) Chloe, where were you?
Ch: (sighing) At home…
Be: (interrupting) At home? (concerned) Why were you at home?
Mi: (chiming in) What, was Salem High too much for you?
Ch: (closing her eyes) You guys, let me finish. (opening her eyes and swallowing) I was at home and… at the hospital. The fact is… I was ill, seriously ill.
Mi: (mockingly) Was it mono… (slyly) you know, the 'kissing' disease?
Ch: (glaring) It wasn't mono. (taking a breath) I had leukemia.
Be: (shocked) What?
Ch: (soberly) I had leukemia.
Mi: (shocked) No way. You're lying.
Ch: I wish I was, Mimi, but I'm not. Didn't you just comment on how thin and pale I looked?
Mi: (embarrassed) Yeah, but… your hair. Why aren't you bald?
Be: (stunned) Mimi!
Ch: (touching her hair) It's thinner, but it's growing back.
Mimi looked at a trembling Belle.
Mi: (quietly) Belle, are you okay?
Be: (looking up) What do you think, Mimi? (tears flowing) One of my best friends just told me that she had leukemia, that she's been sick with it, for months, and she hid it from me. (looking at Chloe) Why, Chloe? Why would you do this? Are you telling me this, now, because you're going to die? Did you want to ease the sting of me seeing your obituary in the newspapers? (trying to compose herself) I know you are a loner, but that wasn't the time to isolate yourself from your friends. We would have supported you…
Ch: I know you would, Belle. (trying to be calm) Okay, Belle. I can understand why you're upset. You feel betrayed, but can you consider what I was feeling, at that moment?
Be: (angry) You were scared…
Ch: (upset) Yes, I was scared. My family was scared. I didn't need any complications…
Be: (indignant) Oh. So I'm a complication?
Ch: (coolly) No, but Phillip is. (taking a deep breath) Look, I know you would do anything for me, but I didn't think you were capable of keeping this quiet.
Be: (derisively) Oh, thank you, Chloe…
Ch: What I meant was… you couldn't go to school, everyday and face Phillip. You would, for a while, but it would have gotten to you. You would attempt to convince me to tell him or you would confide in… Mimi and no offense… Phillip would have found out. I needed to focus on my treatment and I didn't need complicated entanglements, jumbling my mind. (looking at Belle) I missed you, Belle. There wasn't a day that passed that I didn't think about you. I regret hurting you, but I don't regret my decision and I will be damned if I going to apologize for putting my recovery first.
Be: (crying) It's just that… I hate that you were alone.
Ch: (biting her lip) The thing is… I wasn't alone. I had my mom, whose personality, as you know, can fill a room. I had Craig, who was a buffer, of sorts, and… I had Brady.
Be & Mi: (in unison) Brady?!
Be: (hurt) You told Brady, but not me? (voice cracking) How could you do this?
Ch: (firmly) Hold it! I didn't tell Brady, directly. He found out. (taking a breath) One night, a few months ago, Brady and I were fighting, as usual. It was really heated and… I collapsed. I ended up in the hospital and he stayed with me. The day I was diagnosed… he happened to be there, outside the doctor's office. He's not stupid, Belle. He saw how shattered my parents were and how much of a wreck I was. I admitted to him that I had cancer. The only thing I expected from him was his discretion, but I got more than that.
Mi: (quietly) Like what?
Ch: Well, he kept me informed about what was going on with you all. He told me when you were down or excited about something, or when you wondered about me. Whenever possible, I would call you. When I was too sick or tired, I would try to email. When that was impossible, he would type them for me…
Be: (standing up) I don't want to hear anymore, Chloe. Within the last few minutes, I've learned you had leukemia, you deliberately kept it from me, but told my brother about it. My best friend and my brother lied to me… I can't hear anymore.
A heartbroken Chloe watched as Belle walked toward the bathroom.
Mi: (standing up) Hold it, Belle.
Be: (turning around) Meems, not now.
Mi: (walking to her) You're going to listen to me. (looking at Chloe) Now, there's no love lost between Chloe and I, but I do understand why she didn't tell you.
Be: (derisively) Are you going to bash me too?
Mi: (firmly) Stop it, Belle. It wasn't that long ago that my family was homeless and I kept it from all of you. Homelessness isn't as serious as leukemia, but this is a personal matter, that you really can't discuss with 'mixed' company. Hell, I found out how 'fair-weathered' many of my friends really were and I knew them for years. Chloe doesn't have a good history with them, and quite frankly, I don't think they would've risen to the occasion and rally around her. You have a big heart, but Chloe needed something more than that. Think about it, Belle, could you have kept this from Phillip, if she asked you to?
Be: (defensive) I don't want to talk about this anymore.
Belle went into the bathroom.
Ch: (wiping her eyes) Mimi… I appreciate what you tried to do.
Mi: (quietly) It was the least I could do, after giving you a hard time.
Ch: (trying to laugh) Actually, it felt like things were returning to normal.
Mi: (cautiously) You said you had leukemia. Does that mean that you're cured?
Ch: (sniffling) Technically, leukemia can't be cured, but I am in remission.
Mi: (solemn) So, it can come back?
Ch: (quietly) Yeah.
Mi: (solemn) Oh. If it means anything, I'm sorry that you're were sick.
Ch: (quietly) Thank you, Mimi.
Mi: And Brady was really a comfort to you?
Ch: Uh huh.
The bathroom door opened and Belle slowly walked out.
Be: (sniffling) You were the reason why Brady was so moody and secretive?
Ch: Yeah.
Be: You were the reason why he came home, after midnight?
Ch: Yeah.
Be: And last night, when he didn't come home…
Ch: (quietly) He was with me. And I made him bring me here so I could tell you everything.
Be: (eyes pleading) You are in remission?
Ch: Yeah. I found out this morning.
Be: (sighing) I'm glad to hear it. I still don't know how to feel about this, but at least I can have some comfort in knowing that Brady was with you. He's always been my protector and knowing that he was yours… (hugging Chloe) I'm so sorry, Chloe.
Ch: (tears flowing) I don't blame you for being angry. I hate being lied to too…
Be: Please, Chloe, don't comfort me. I'm going to be fine. I'm just worried about you.
Ch: Don't be. I'm fine now.
Be: (letting her go) I pray that you will remain that way. (wiping her eyes) Wow! What a Saturday. All this angst and tears before noon.
Mi: (feigning levity) Well, that's to be expected, when Chloe's around.
Ch: (smiling) And verbal jabs are to be expected when Mimi's around.
Mi: (bowing mockingly) I live to serve.
Be: (laughing) Well, I'd better wash my face. Excuse me.
Belle ran into the bathroom.
Mi: (looking at Chloe) I can't think of anyone having a better day than you. You found out you're in remission, (whispering) you made out with Brady, and you still have your friendship with Belle.
Ch: I'm still not sure about Belle…
Mi: (exasperated) Oh, come on, Chloe. Belle is a friend for life. And Brady… well…
Ch: (defensive) What about him?
Mi: I just don't get why you are wondering where you stand with him. Given that he's been by your side, all this time, and this morning, you two… (smirking) You need to stop being pessimistic and see things as they truly are…
Ch: (suspicious) How are things, Mimi?
Mi: (annoyed) I'm not going to say, because my 'grasp' on Brady is hanging on, by a thread. (daydreaming) On top of the gorgeousness that is Brady, the thought of him, being loyal, steadfast, keeping vigil at a bedside. (smiling) I thought you took him from me, but you gave him back to me, and he's better than I've ever dreamed.