Joanne had been going to surprise Maureen at her rehearsal for yet another performance. She didn't have any presents with her, but she figured her presence would be just enough. The two women had been dating for a year now, and they were completely in love.
She tip-toed up to the door and then smiled, stifling a laugh. She then burst into the door just in time to catch Maureen kissing another woman. The woman in rubber from the Life Café. Oh, no. This wasn't happening again…it couldn't be.
"Maureen!" Joanne bellowed, her eyes glassing over. Maureen pulled away quickly, and the lady in rubber's hand fled to her lips. Maureen had bitten her. Good, Joanne thought. She deserves it.
"P-Pookie! I-I wasn't expecting you--!" Maureen stumbled over every word. Joanne shook her head. Of course she wasn't. She never was. It was over. Over. A year down the drain; she'd just been wasting her time. Joanne knew that Maureen couldn't keep her promise to stay committed to their relationship – and theirs only. Apparently, she had the hots for the lady in rubber.
"That's obvious," Joanne snarled. "Get your stuff OUT of my house. Do you hear me? You have two days. And then I'm throwing it all out." Maureen made a mess of everything anyway. Joanne liked order and sequence, Maureen liked to live life as it came. Joanne didn't like surprises. This was one, most certainly.
"Pookie?" Maureen pouted. Joanne wasn't going to fall for that this time.
"Don't ever call me Pookie again." Joanne hissed, walking out the door and slamming it behind her. She was in awe. How could Maureen even think about doing something like that? Hadn't she been at practice? Yeah, rehearsal my ass, Joanne thought angrily. She stormed out of the run-down building and forced her way into a small coffee shop. Caffeine would calm Joanne down. Just as she had the door open, Joanne heard footsteps running behind her.
"Joanne! Joanne, wait. Please! Joanne!" It was Maureen. If she was coming to beg for forgiveness, Joanne wasn't going to give it to her. She was sick and tired of Maureen taking advantage of her. Joanne wasn't going to be walked all over again; she wasn't going to be tricked into another one of Maureen's games. Joanne was a lawyer. Any woman would want her. She kept walking. Another arm tugged at her own. Maureen's arm. What did she want? She wasn't going to be forgiven. Joanne didn't turn around, and Maureen's arm stayed hooked on hers.
"Joanne, listen to me. I…I don't know what to say. I'm sorry," Maureen sounded apologetic, but Joanne gave no sympathy. "Pookie, look at me." Joanne pursed her lips, her face angry. She turned around and couldn't help but hide a smile at Maureen's pout. She was still mad, but this was so typically Maureen – she was quite a character. She always got what she wanted. Joanne wouldn't give it to her so easily this time. She pulled her arm away from Maureen's, and Maureen looked shocked. Good.
"I can't take it anymore, Maureen! You go around making out with other women. I just don't want this anymore. I love you, Maureen, but you're mine." Joanne paused. "Or at least, you used to be. Get your stuff the hell out of my apartment. Go live with the lady in rubber." Joanne added harshly.
"But- But – But Joanne. Listen. I don't know what happened in there. That woman is attracted to me, and I can't help it! She's always all over me!" Maureen pleaded, but Joanne's face informed her that her choice was final. There was no going back. Maybe they'd be together again, but not right now. An entire year. A record for the former couple.
"I can't believe after all that's happened, you'd think that was a good excuse. You get your things out of my house."