Disclaimer: I do not own anything RENT, all belongs to Jonathan Larson
A Cohen Reunion
The bus ride to Scarsdale took about three hours. It was cold, and Mimi was huddling into Roger's chest to stay warm. All of them were dressed up in nice clothes, with one bag each. They were going to spend the night at Mark's house, since all of the kids were grown up anyway. Maureen and Joanne were sitting a row behind Roger. They spoke heatedly and tried to keep it soft.
"What was her number doing in your pocket Maureen!" Joanne hissed.
"She gave me her number, but I told her I was taken and I wasn't going to call her!" Maureen replied.
"Then why did you keep it!" said Joanne. Her voice got louder. Roger just smiled to himself. He felt bad that he was slightly enjoying this, he liked Joanne. They'll see how she truly is one day he thought to himself.
The bus finally stopped at the Scarsdale Jewish Community Center, where the reception was being held. There was a park right next to the center. As they walked out, Roger saw a young father, probably in his twenties, with a boy about four or five.
"Come on Joey, let's play football. Go long!" said the dad backing up to throw the ball.
Joey laughed and his eyes got wide with happiness as he ran back to catch it. Roger closed his eyes, trying to contain himself. He walked in with the others after a moment of watching the father and the son.
"Hello Mark! Over here!" His mother waved for them to come over at a table by the door. She was short, blonde, and wearing a light pink dress. She got up and hugged and kissed Mark. A stocky man in a suit got up and shook his hand.
"How are you doing son?" Mark's father asked.
"I'm ok. These are my friends, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Joanne and you guys know Maureen."
"Oh, yes. How are you dear?" Mark's mother asked uneasily.
"I'm going great, thank you Mrs. Cohen" she answered. Mark's father just waved hello and sat back down.
Mark's friends also eventually met his sister Cindy, her husband, and her two sons. There was lots of dancing and eating, and by the time the night was over, all of them were very tired.
They sat at the table for a little while, finishing their drinks.
"Mark, you guys are staying over right honey?" his mother asked him.
"Yes mom, thanks for inviting us" he answered.
"Anytime dear. You know Cindy was so happy to see you again. We all were" she said.
"Do you guys need some transportation there, I can borrow one of your uncle's cars" said Mark's father.
"No thanks dad, we can walk it's not that far from here and it's a nice night out"
"Honey, it's January, you'll freeze out there" said his mother worriedly.
"I'm going to call your Uncle Ben, he's got a van" said his father, getting up.
They all sat around making small talk as Mark's father made arrangements.
"So Maureen how's performing going?" asked Mrs. Cohen.
"It's going ok. It's not the most glamorous job out there, and sometimes you have to live on a budget and be tight with your money, I'm sure you know how it is" said Maureen.
Mark coughed and Mrs. Cohen just nodded and looked away.
"I didn't mean it like that, because you're Jewish or anything. Of course you don't know how it is, you guys have worked very hard to get where you are. I mean Marky went to Brown, very top notch school "said Maureen.
"You know Maureen, if you weren't so loose with your lips, you wouldn't get into so much trouble all the time" said Roger. Oops, couldn't hold that one in.
Maureen's eyes began to tear up and after a moment she rose quickly and threw her drink in Roger's face.
"FUCK YOU ROGER DAVIS!" she said and stormed out of the room.
Everyone at the table looked stunned for a moment until Mr. Cohen came back into the room. "The ride is on its way" he said.
Maureen ended up walking to Marks house despite the weather, and wouldn't speak to anyone the whole night. Fuck them, what do they know? And Roger, what an asshole she thought to herself.
The next morning after breakfast, Mark and his friends thanked his parents and got on a bus back to the city. The tension was very strong on the bus ride back, and Maureen and Roger just sat with their arms crossed, refusing to move.
"I've had it with the way you two are acting! It's embarrassing and very immature. We are gonna talk this shit out as soon as we get home!" said Collins all of a sudden.
"There's nothing to talk about. Roger Davis is a class A asshole and there's nothing more to it" said Maureen.
"I'd rather be an asshole then a lying, conniving whore who does nothing but screw people over to get what she wants!" said Roger crossly.
"Guys knock it off! Baby, you were way out of line with what you said to Maureen yesterday, I know what you meant. And Maureen, Roger is really stressed right now and says things he doesn't mean, right?" Mimi said, elbowing Roger.
"Oh I meant it "he said, not backing down.
Joanne and Mark just looked at each other and shrugged. Mimi turned away from Roger and rolled her eyes. Collins put his face in his hands. This was going to be a very very long ride home.