"Mimi?"
Mimi turned to face her boss, Terry. She had stopped by the club to get some of her things, and Roger was waiting out front.
"Terry?"
"What're you doing back here? I thought you quit."
"I came to get some stuff out of my locker," Mimi said slowly, tossing a handful of laundry into a garbage bag.
"Oh." Terry was silent for a moment. "God, Mimi, I'm sorry for all of this."
Mimi shrugged. "It isn't your fault."
"I knew that Kyle guy was a creep, but I still allowed Roxy to sneak him back here. I could've prevented all this."
Mimi shook her head. "This was just a reality check for me, Terry. I knew one day I'd eventually stop working here."
Terry sighed. "Well, I know we'll all miss you here."
Mimi smiled. "Thanks. Maybe I'll still see you around sometime?"
He nodded. "Sure." He hugged her, briefly. "See you around, Sprout." 'Sprout' was the name Mimi had been dubbed by the other dancers, as she was the shortest one there.
Mimi groaned, and shoved at him, playfully. "Bye Terry."
Terry left, and Mimi shoved the rest of her things in her bag, when she heard footsteps approaching. It was Roxy.
"Oh, Jesus, Mimi…" Roxy breathed.
"Hi…," Mimi said slowly.
"Oh my God, Mimi…I'm sorry I didn't try to get in touch with you sooner. When I heard about what happened, you don't know how horrible I felt."
Mimi made a face. "Everyone knows about it?"
"Oh yeah. Some of the guys even grabbed Kyle back by the alley and took him out," Roxy said, with a smirk. "That bastard. I knew he had a creepy interest for you. He would always stare at you during your numbers. I never thought he'd do anything like this, though…" she paused. "Anyway. I'm just so sorry. As soon as I heard what happened, I broke up with him."
"I know," Mimi said.
"You do?"
"Yeah. He told me. He came after me and Roger to try and make me call the cops off his case."
"Oh Jeez. He's such a fucking basket-case," Roxy sighed. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
"Well…he jumped Roger. Then I tried to stop him and he threw me off. I just kind of banged my head and fucked up my knee. I'm fine, though."
Roxy shook her head. "Well at least he didn't do anything worse."
"I don't think there's anything worse than rape," Mimi said, with forced laughter.
"Oh, honey," Roxy hugged her. "I'm so sorry. If there's anything I can do, you just let me know."
Mimi smiled. "Thanks. It's not your fault, though."
"Mimi?" Roger stuck his head into the locker room. "You done in there?"
"Jesus, Roger, you can't come in here!" Mimi exclaimed.
Roger blushed. "Oops. Sorry. You ready, though? This place gives off a bad vibe." He glanced at Roxy. "No offense."
"None taken," Roxy said.
"Yeah, I'm ready," Mimi said.
Roxy gave her another hug. "Call me, okay, kiddo?" she said.
Mimi grinned. "Sure."
Roxy turned to Roger. "You take good care of her for us, you hear? She's our baby Sprout."
"Roxy," Mimi groaned.
Roger laughed. "Sprout?"
Mimi rolled her eyes. "Forget it." She latched onto Roger's arm. "Ready to go?"
"Yep." Roger waved slowly to Roxy. "Bye."
"Bye, my little chickadees."
"Willkkomein," Mark greeted the two of them as they entered the room.
"Hey, Mark," Roger said, plopping down on the couch opposite him. "How was your date?"
Mark made a face. "It didn't go over so well."
Roger frowned. "That sucks. What was the problem?"
"She had a boyfriend."
Mimi burst out laughing.
"It's not funny," Mark mumbled, hiding a smile.
"Yeah, Sprout," Roger grinned.
Mimi stopped laughing. "You ever call me that again and you're dead."
"Who's Sprout?" Mark asked, confused.
Roger grinned, mischievously and headed down the hall to the bedroom. "Sorry, Sprout."
"Shut the fuck up," Mimi shouted, running after him.
Mark heard the sound of them rustling around on the bed, and giggling. Then a loud thump onto the floor, and an 'Ow,' from Roger.
Mark rolled his eyes. Things were back to normal.
Author's Note: Yeah I think about one more chapter and this story's done. Maybe two. Never fear, though. You could always catch up with my other one, 'How Do You Leave the Past Behind?' :-D