CHAPTER 20
__________________________________
"I'm not driving home," Roger complained, exiting off the Bronx River Parkway by making a sharp right turn.
"My god, where did you get your license?" Lisa asked from the backseat. Mimi was sleeping in the passenger seat, and Mark and Jackie were together next to Lisa.
"Call me a shitty driver all you want, but I got you from point A to point B, didn't I?"
"Why don't you let me drive home," she yawned.
"Hah. Yeah right kid. You've had your license for what, not even a year?" Roger laughed.
"Um, at least I know the difference between the turn signal and the windshield wipers jackass," Lisa giggled. Roger glared at her in the rearview mirror and flipped her off.
"I don't drive much."
"No shit," Mark added. Jackie was staring monotonously out the window, taking in the scenery.
"Jesus Christ, you just passed your own street," Lisa shouted out at him. Roger slammed on the brakes and Mimi's eyes flew open.
"You're Jewish! What are you screaming about Christ for?" Roger shouted at her, pulling a u-turn and turning onto his street.
"Oh my god. Roger, seriously, you're not driving anymore," Mimi said grumpily.
"Second that," Jackie smirked.
"You've been overruled buddy," Mark smiled.
"You're all a bunch of assholes. 54, 56, 58…"
"YOU JUST PASSED YOUR OWN HOUSE!" Lisa laughed again. Mimi shook her head and started laughing as Roger narrowed his eyes and turned around again at the end of the street before heading back down.
"Fine. Better?" he asked, pulling into the driveway behind a black Volvo and next to a red Jetta. "Now get the fuck out."
"Ooh testy," Mark said.
Mimi stepped out of the passenger side as Mark, Jackie, and Lisa went around back to grab the bags. "I'm sorry baby."
"Yeah, it's fine. You're okay with this?"
"Not like I have any choice now, but yeah, I am," Mimi smiled, kissing him on the cheek. Roger laced his fingers through hers and together they walked up the path to the front door.
"Hey Davis, what about your bags?"
"Carry them in?" Roger said stupidly. He rang the doorbell, shifting from side to side. Mimi gently rubbed his back as the door opened slowly. Lindsey appeared behind the glass screen door, Marissa balanced on her hip and another younger boy wrapped around her leg.
"Hey!" she said, wrapping her free arm around Roger in a sad attempt at a hug. "What are you, a morning person now?"
"You wish," Roger said sarcastically, pulling Mimi in behind him. "Lindsey, this is my girlfriend Mimi. Mimi, my sister Lindsey."
"Hi! It's nice to finally meet you," Lindsey added brightly, giving Mimi a hug as well. Mimi looked a little taken aback by her gesture, but gave into it anyway. "How are you feeling? Oh, congratulations by the way."
"Jeez Linds, calm down," Roger teased. "Hey Corey."
"Hi Uncle Roger," Corey answered. Corey was Roger's older brother's son, and apparently that meant that his brother was here too.
"I'm feeling pretty good, actually. I'm already 13 weeks, so the morning sickness is pretty much over," Mimi answered.
"Lucky. I had morning sickness up until my sixth month with Marissa here," Lindsay said, putting her down on the floor. Marissa took off and hid in front of the couch, peeking out a little bit. "Rissa, come say hi to Uncle Roger."
"Hi," she whispered shyly.
Roger's mother was standing in the kitchen doorway, hands on her hips. "Lindsay Marie Davis, don't you have any manners? Why are you all standing around?"
"Hi mom," Roger said quietly.
"Hi yourself," she laughed, giving him a hug and kissing him. "Where's Mark?"
"Outside with the bags," Roger grinned.
"Marky's here?" Lindsey laughed. "You actually got him out from under his camera and brought him with you for once?" She had picked up Marissa again and was rocking her from side to side.
"He's got his girlfriend under him now," Roger joked.
"Roger!"
"Sorry Mom," he apologized. Mimi and Lindsey started giggling. "Where's Jimmy?"
"He and Jennifer had to take Aidan to the doctor this morning, so I told them to drop Corey off. They should be back soon. Your dad's still at the office, and he'll probably want to talk to you later, so I'm just—"
"Mom it's fine," Roger said sharply, trying to change the subject. "Really." Mimi poked him in the ribs and cleared her throat. "Oh yeah, mom, this is Mimi."
"So this is the Mimi that Roger talks nonstop about," Sandra smiled, giving Mimi a hug. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
"How are you feeling? How far along are you?"
"Good, all things considering…almost four months," Mimi answered. Roger wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and held her while Mark finished carrying the bags inside.
"Hi Mrs. Davis," he called out.
"Hello Mark," she laughed, kissing and hugging him as well. "And Lisa! Sweetie how are you feeling? And the baby?"
"Pretty good actually. Noah's doing great for a preemie," Lisa smiled.
"That's wonderful." When Sandra noticed everyone standing around and shifting from side to side, she clapped her hands together. "Well, uh, Roger, I guess you and Mimi could take your room. Mark, I can set up the basement pullout for you and…"
Jackie was resting her head on Mark's shoulder and perked up when she noticed Mrs. Davis staring at her. "Oh, sorry. Hi, I'm Jackie, Mark's girlfriend."
Sandra continued smiling and nodded. "It's good to know he has someone besides his camera."
"Hey how come I got yelled at for saying the same thing?" Roger complained.
"Because it was the way you said it, and I'm your mother and I'm entitled to say such things," she laughed. "I bet you all want to get settled in and everything. Mark your mother called and wanted you to call her as soon as you got in."
Mark groaned and pushed his glasses up a little bit on his nose. "Sure thing."
___________________________________
Lisa walked into Lindsey's room, throwing her small bag onto the edge of the other twin bed. She hadn't been at the Davis' in years, not since Mark and Roger left for the city. Besides, it had always been Cindy and Lindsey who were good friends anyway. She pulled her hair into a loose ponytail and tucked a few stray pieces behind her ears as she peeked out the window. Without even letting the thought properly register in her head, she picked up the phone near Marissa's crib and dialed a number she used to know by heart. After three rings, a male voice came over the line.
"Hello?"
"We need to talk. Look, before you say no, I'm in town for the weekend and I can meet you at the park in an hour."
"Lisa? What—what are you doing back?"
"It doesn't matter. Just meet me at the park, Matt. We need to talk."
"Okay. I'll be there."
Lisa hung up the phone and curled up on the bed, staring at the ceiling. When everything was said and done, she knew she'd have a lot of explaining to do. She couldn't lie anymore.
"Your mom seems great."
Roger looked up from the ground and shrugged. "Yeah, she is, I guess."
Mimi sighed and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Look, I know this is hard for you—"
"No, you don't. You don't have any idea," he said harshly, standing up and pushing her arms away. Mimi frowned and rolled her eyes at him.
"It doesn't help that you're being a complete asshole about it," she protested, resting her hands on her hips. "You can't always wish that your family would disappear. Believe me, I've tried."
"You still don't know. I'm just waiting until my dad gets home, and then all hell will break loose and I'll be kicked out again."
"You don't know that. Chances are he's realized something by now."
"Yeah, how much he still hates me," Roger muttered bitterly, running his hand through his hair. Mimi turned away from him and walked towards the window. "Don't preach about shit you haven't experienced."
"Fine. I'm taking a nap. Go bitch to someone else then." She flipped over, angling herself away from him. "I don't know if I've ever told you how proud I am of you. You were great last night, but sometimes you can really be a stubborn prick."
"I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not," he replied.
"Stop being a smartass. My back is killing me, and you being…you isn't helping," she said.
"Then let me rub your back for you," he smirked. Mimi shrugged and sat up, glaring at him.
"Stop trying to get on my good side."
Roger started rubbing her shoulders and kissing her neck at the same time, moving lower and finally coming to rest on her hips. "Better?"
"I don't know. I haven't decided yet," she smiled. "You're so moody, you know that?"
"Me? You're not any better."
"I have an excuse at least. You're just—" Roger cut her off and kissed her.
"Well whatever I am, you love me anyway."
"You're damn right," Mimi giggled, resting her head on his shoulders. "Sorry."
"S'ok. I'm sorry too. I think getting out of here and going to Hawaii will do us good."
"Probably. This place stresses me out."
"Mark stresses me out more," he joked.
"You won with that one."
Roger slid Mimi off his lap and propped himself up on his elbow, staring at Mimi without saying anything.
"What? You've got that goofy grin going on and that means you're up to something," she observed, playing with his hands.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What do you think about…marriage?" he asked quietly.
Mimi's eyes widened and she started chewing on her lip. "Um…well…what do you think about it?"
"I want to marry you, if you want to marry me, that is. But I want to do it right—everything. Even the proposal—when I get a ring, that is."
"Roger I don't need a ring," Mimi sighed.
"But I want you to have one," he said in a final tone.
"Okay. So is this a pre proposal kind of speech, or the real thing? Are we semi engaged, or are we just talking about getting engaged?" she laughed.
"Well, I guess we're talking about getting engaged, but if you want me to ask you to marry me right now I will, but I'm just letting you know I'm gonna do it again when I get the ring," he said, kissing her on the forehead.
"I don't care."
"Mimi Marquez, will you marry me?"
"Yeah—yeah, I will," she giggled, as he kissed her. "Where's my tinfoil ring?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing. When I was little, me and my sisters used to put on these fake weddings, and we used to have tinfoil rings, ya know?"
"Wow."
"Ah, shut up," Mimi said, shoving him playfully.
"When do you want to get married?" he asked, pulling her onto his lap again.
"Well…I guess whenever's convenient. I'd like to still be able to fit into a dress and look halfway decent, but I know there's going to be close to no time after the baby gets here," she stated, playing with the drawstring on her sweatpants.
"Before then?"
"Yeah, as long as it's okay with you. Maybe in May?" she suggested. "How are we going to pay for all of this?"
"We'll think of something," he reassured her.
"I don't want a lot of people there. Actually, I'd rather keep it kind of small anyway."
"That's fine. We have almost two months to think about everything. So do we tell Mark right away, or wait?"
"Let's wait a little bit. You know how Mark gets."
"Yeah, he might just piss himself in excitement," Roger laughed.
_________________________________
"Hey Mark?"
Mark looked up from the couch, where he was digging through his bad, obviously looking for something. "Yeah?"
Lisa shifted her weight, leaning against the post to the basement stairs. "Um, is it okay if I go out for about an hour?"
"Should I ask where you're going?"
"No, but it's not anywhere…bad?" she shrugged. "Can I talk to you later, too? Or maybe Jackie?"
Mark sighed and shrugged. Jackie was upstairs with Lindsey and Marissa. "That's fine."
"Okay. I'll uh, see you in a little bit?"
"Yep." Lisa hung her head a little and climbed back up the stairs, and after looking around to make sure she wasn't going to run into anyone, she slipped out through the back door. It was cold—Scarsdale winters were always cold—and her breath hung in the air. She hated the look Mark had just given her. He was disappointed, and she knew it. Quickening her pace a little, she reached the entrance to the park and walked around, taking a seat on the park bench. She completely spaced out for the next ten minutes, tracing the many marks made on the bench. L + M 4EVER '96.
"Lisa!"
She stood up, brushing off her jeans. "Hi."
Matt jogged through the rest of the park, reaching her within a minute. "Hey."
"I didn't think you'd come," she said carelessly, shoving her hands in her jacket pockets.
"Yeah, um—well I did," he answered quickly.
"Well, I just came to tell you that you have a son. I'm not asking you for anything—you don't even have to see him, but I just figured that, well you should know."
"Isn't it too early? I mean—what about the whole story with David?"
"David and I had an agreement made to save your ass. Basically I'd say he was the father, so it wouldn't ruin your high school popularity career. No one would know, I'd end up leaving anyway, so no one would even think about pointing a finger at you," she said calmly. "Look, it's a lot to explain, and yes, the baby was born early, but he's okay, I'm okay, and that's all that matters."
"What did you name him?" Matt asked, taking a seat on the bench next to her.
"Noah Andrew."
"Noah huh? I like that. Does he, um, does he look like me?"
Lisa stared him for a minute before responding. "Yeah, he does. He has your eyes and mouth."
"Can I see him? I mean, not right away, if you don't want me to, but—you can say no if you want," Matt stuttered. Lisa cracked a smile and shrugged.
"I guess. I'm not going to be a bitch and say you can't see your own son at all. He's in the NICU, but, if you want to, I could arrange it."
"I could drive down after school one day—or maybe on a weekend?" Matt suggested.
"I live with my brother now in the city, so um, do you have a piece of paper or anything?" she asked, pulling out a pen from her pocket.
"Yeah. Here." Lisa took the paper from him and scribbled down the loft's address and phone number.
"I won't be back there until Sunday night or Monday morning, but call ahead and let me know when you want to come up."
"Thanks. I'm really sorry about everything, you know that right?" he added, taking the piece of paper from her and shoving it into his pocket.
"I know, but it doesn't change anything, does it?"
"No, it doesn't. I, uh, I just wanted to let you know that I'm attending NYU in the fall after graduation, so uh, maybe I could see you and Noah more?" he tried, nervously running a hand through his brown hair.
"Maybe," she said cautiously.
"I really want to make everything up to you—and for the baby. Here," he said, shoving an envelope at her.
Lisa took it and stared at it. "What's this?"
"Just uh, open it, okay?"
Lisa complied and opened the envelope. A check fluttered to the ground, and she bent down to pick it up. "Matt, this is $300. I can't take this from you."
"I know. I want you to take it. Buy Noah whatever he needs, and take care of yourself too."
"Thank you," Lisa said politely. Before she knew it, Matt had his arms around her, hugging her gently.
"Thanks for letting me come up to see him. Do you need a ride back to your house?" he asked, as they started walking out of the park.
"I'm staying at Roger Davis' house right now—"
"That's fine. I know where he lives," he said. Lisa nodded and opened the passenger side door to his Jeep.
"Do you have any pictures of him?"
"No, not with me. I mean, the only pictures I really have of him are the Polaroid's taking by the nurses, but when I get the chance I was going to get a head start on his baby book. Do you want one?" she asked, staring out the window as he pulled out of the parking lot.
"Yeah…"
"I can give you a copy of one then."
"Thanks Lisa. I mean really, thank you." He pulled into Roger's driveway. "I'll call you on Monday, okay?"
"Yeah, okay." Lisa smiled briefly and stepped out of the Jeep, waved once, and headed towards the house.
As she made her way around the back, Lisa realized that she didn't have any reason to trust him. She needed to lie down. Her head was spinning in twenty different directions. She was a liar—fucking pathetic, and the best thing was, everyone was too involved in themselves to give a damn.
________________________________
"Yeah, just take those three boxes and put them in the back of my car."
"Wait, those three?" Roger asked.
"Yup." Lindsey was busy shoving another box into the front seat, and Mark was carrying two more to put in the trunk.
"So where is this place again?" Mark groaned from under the weight.
"Hartsdale, about ten minutes away," Lindsey answered, throwing Roger the keys to her car. "Do me a favor and take my shit up there and follow me. I'll take Mom's car up there."
"Do I have to be seen in a red Jetta?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Gotta keep that bad ass image up huh?" she teased.
"Ya damn straight," Roger laughed. "Whose car is that?"
A silver Corolla pulled up next to the mailbox, and Mark ducked behind Lindsey's car. "Shit!"
"Oh fuck, it's Cindy," Roger laughed. "Mommy must have told her you were hear, Marky!"
Cindy waved to Lindsey and Roger before making her way to the backseat and unbuckling four-year-old Rachel. "Hey guys."
"Hi Cindy," Roger laughed.
Cindy came strolling up the driveway, keys in one hand and Rachel pulling on the other.
"Where's Adam and Anthony today?" Lindsey asked, slamming her car door shut.
"Adam's home watching football or something, and Anthony's at his friend's house for the day. Hey Davis, did you bring Mark and Lisa with you?" Cindy asked.
"Lisa's in the house, and Mark's—uh—checking the tire?" Roger shrugged, pointing to the other side of Lindsey's car.
"Uh huh. Nice try Mark."
Mark sheepishly stood up. "Sorry."
"Is Lisa around?" Cindy asked, waving to Mrs. Davis who was now standing on the front porch. "Hi Mrs. Davis!"
"Hello Cindy. How are you?"
"Pretty good, thanks."
"Well uh, we were just about to leave," Roger said, jumping into the driver's seat of the Jetta. "Nice seeing you again." He started the ignition and took off down the driveway and down the street.
"Yeah, we were," Mark added.
"You can't run from Mom forever. I'm here to see Lisa anyway—"
"Thanks," Mark laughed. He was already sitting in the passenger's seat, and Lindsey was ready to back the car out of the driveway.
"Later little bro," Cindy replied, picking up Rachel and carrying her up the driveway. "How's little Marissa?"
"She's wonderful. Such a troublemaker though," Sandra laughed. Lisa and Mimi were sitting on the couch, entertaining Marissa with her Pooh bear and trying to read her a book. Lisa looked up and smiled when she saw Cindy and Rachel.
"Rachie!" Lisa squealed, taking her from Cindy and kissing her on both cheeks before spinning her around.
"Hi Aunt Lisa," she giggled. "Where's baby?" she added, her little hand trying to reach for Lisa's stomach.
"Baby's in the hospital—well because—" Lisa tried to look for Cindy for some help, smiling.
"Noah's in the hospital because the doctor's want to make him extra special to see everyone," Cindy tried to explain. "Kind of like when you were born; the doctors tried to make you pretty and smell nice before I could take you home, silly."
"Oh. Okay," Rachel said. Everything was so simple with four year olds. "Do I get to see him? And play with him?"
"Soon, sweetie. Hey Mimi, this is Mark's older sister Cindy," Lisa introduced.
"Hey," Mimi said. "I'm Roger's girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you. So Lisa, wanna get out of here for a few hours?"
"If it's okay with you, Mimi." Lisa said, spinning Rachel around again.
"Sure. I'm sure Roger and everyone will be back soon anyway," she smiled, turning her attention back to Marissa.
"Okay. Let me just go and grab my coat."
"We'll be waiting in the car," Cindy said, taking Rachel from her as Lisa ran down the hall.
Ten minutes later, Cindy was already turning off the Hutchinson River Parkway and heading towards New Rochelle. Rachel had fallen asleep in the backseat, and Lisa was humming along to the radio.
"So, honest question. How are you doing?" Cindy asked sincerely, turning the radio down a little. "Mark taking care of you?"
"He honestly tries, Cind. But he's got a girlfriend now, and a new job, so it's hard for me to relate to him about anything."
"You two have always been close. Anything particular happen that you want to talk about?"
"No. It's just tough, especially when I bring Noah back to the loft. I don't really have anything for him besides a few basic onesies and some bottles. It's really overwhelming—I don't know what I'm going to do," Lisa said quietly, staring out the window.
"Exactly why I'm taking you out today. I scavenged through a bunch of Anthony's old baby clothes and put them in two boxes, plus I have his bassinet, walker, swing, and so many toys," she laughed. "Then we're headed to Babies 'R Us, where you are going to pick out the nursery theme and anything else you want."
"Cindy—wow. I don't know what to say," Lisa laughed.
"Just make good use of my money and I'll be happy. We just have to drop off Rachel with Adam, and then we'll go and you can tell me everything about what you've been up to," she said, pulling down into a development complex and finally pulling into the driveway of a two-story brick house. Lisa stepped out onto the driveway, while Cindy hoisted a sleepy Rachel onto her shoulder. "Wanna come in?"
"Sure," Lisa said, following Cindy up the stairs and into the house. Anthony came screaming around the corner, imitating an airplane—Adam close behind him.
"Mommy!" he shouted, lunging himself at Cindy.
"Hi sweetie," she replied, kissing the top of his head. "Have fun today?"
"Yup. Michael can come to my 7th birthday party," he smiled, before running down the hall again.
"Hey Lisa," Adam said, taking Rachel from Cindy before giving Cindy a quick kiss on the lips. "How are you feeling?"
"Good, thank you."
"You sure you can handle them? Cindy asked, before grabbing her purse from the bottom of the stairs.
"No problem. Rachel looks like she'll be out for a little while anyway. Have fun girls."
"Ready to go?"
"You bet," Lisa answered, following Cindy out to her car again.
_______________________________________________