Roger came running in when he heard the phone drop. "Mimi, what the hell—" He stopped when he saw me shaking with the phone on the floor.
I ran over to him and buried my head in his chest. We stood there like that for awhile, until he gently pushed me away and looked into my eyes.
"Was that… was that him?" His tone was shaky and his eyes flashed with anger.
I nodded, then picked up the phone and put it up to my ear, though I wasn't sure why. There was laughter on the other end. Then, "Mimi… are you really that scared of me? I never did anything to you!"
As quietly as possible, I handed the phone to Roger. "Hello?" he asked his angry tone. After a few seconds, he screamed, "Get the fuck away from her you asshole! I will call the-- the police on you if you don't leave her alone!" He slammed the phone down and grabbed my hand. "It'll be okay. I'll make sure to it that you never have to see him… or hear him… again!"
"Promise?" I asked, feeling like I was a little kid again.
He took a deep breath and looked a little bit nervous. "Yes. I promise." He took my hand and led me to the couch. His left hand started moving as if going up and down the neck of a guitar, playing imaginary notes. If he doesn't have his guitar with him, this was his other nervous habit. "Would you mind staying with Maureen and Joanne for a few days?"
I looked at him, completely confused. "Why? Where are you going?"
He shook his head. "I have to take care of some business."
"And what about Mark? He'll be here, right?" I asked curiously. What was going on?
"Yeah, yeah. Mark'll be here, but he's always working or filming, and there wouldn't be anyone if he somehow shows up. He doesn't know where Maureen's apartment is. You'll be safest there." He stopped his air guitar playing and gave me this really serious look. "You have to go by tonight. Don't worry about me. I'll—"
I jumped up and kissed him before he could say anything else. I didn't want him to leave me now, at the time that I needed him the most. And it's for days, not even like a few hours. I don't think I can take that!
We were interrupted by loud knocking on the door. "Roger? Mark? Mimi? Anyone home?" came the perky voice.
I pulled out of our kiss and began to go to the door to let her in, but Roger mouthed to be quiet, then he kissed me again, knowing how much I needed him.
"Roger, I know you're in there!! Stop writing lyrics and open the damn door!" she demanded.
Our lips unlocked and he whispered to go into our room. He grabbed his guitar off of the table, put on an angry face, and thrust open the door. "Maureen, I was right in the middle of a new song. What the fuck is your problem?" he asked, keeping a completely straight face for this little act that I witnessed from our room through a slit in the door.
Maureen didn't suspect that he was kidding and just rolled her brown eyes at him and sighed dramatically. "Is Mimi here?"
I made a grand entrance at the sound of my name. "Hey Maureen."
"How's the new job? The Life Café is such a great place to work!"
I bit my lip and threw Roger a look saying "I can't believe you didn't tell her!" But he looked away.
Left to answer the question by myself, I had to think of something. "I quit," I answered simply.
"What? Why? And it's only been a few days!! What happened? Details!! I want details!"
Once you said something to her, she wanted to know everything about it. But I didn't really want to get into this right now. I'd tell her later. "It wasn't working out."
"What do you mean, it wasn't working out?"
"Maureen, she doesn't want to tell you, okay? It's none of your fucking business!" Roger yelled at her.
She glared at him, then gave me a questioning look, but she dropped the matter. "Are you ready for tonight?"
I shook my head. "I only found out about it not too long ago. I just have to throw some clothes in a bag and I'll be fine." There was an awkward silence after that, so I said, "I'll go do that now," then dashed into to the bedroom.
The first thing I noticed was that the window was open, which was odd, because I could have sworn that it was closed when I was in here earlier. But I didn't think anything of it—I could be mistaken. But I also found itstrange that the blue shirt I left on the chair last night was also gone. Was I going crazy?
I grabbed my beat up old duffle bag and threw three days worth of clothes in it, then other things I'd need. The whole time, I had a feeling I was being watched, like someone was in the room. But that would be impossible because the room was so tiny. I guess I was just still freaked out about him.
Ipulled on a pair of beat up black sneakers, then slammed the window shut and went back into the other room, where Roger and Maureen were whispering about something. They stopped when they saw me come in.
"Mimi, what's the matter?" Roger asked me, sensing something was terribly wrong. "Are you okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine," I answered, even though I was a little spooked about the open window and the missing clothes. "Do you want to go, Maureen? I want to get out of here as quickly as possible."
"Sure! I'll be downstairs! See ya, Roger!" she skipped out the door.
"Tell me the truth. What's wrong?" he demanded.
"The window was closed earlier, and when I went in the room, it was open. I left a shirt on the chair, and now it's gone. And I have this feeling someone is watching me! Roger, what if he is here?" I asked nervously.
"Don't worry—he's not here. I guarantee you there is no one here besides you and me." He leaned down and kissed me. "I'll miss you so much during the next few days."
"I'll miss you, too," I told him quietly. "I don't want you to go." I wanted so badly to know where he was going, but knew better than to ask. He hates sharing details.
He took my bag in one hand, then my hand in the other and led me downstairs. Maureen was waiting outside. It was freezing, and I realized I didn't have a coat. I began to shiver again.
Roger took off his jacket and gave it to me, then kissed me softly on the lips. "Bye Mimi."
"Bye," I whispered, then walked outside into the cold March air. "Let's go. Quickly."