Chapter 3

I went to my mother's house around 4:30 pm. She was so happy to hear I was getting back on the straight path, if you know what I mean. Plus she just adores Mark so it helped that I was trying to get back together with him.

Anyway my mother's maid (yes I come from noble stock) opened the door and led me to my mother's study. And there she was in all her glory. Nancy Johnson, age 47. Not that any of that is important. What is really important is the advice she gave me. When I told her Mark still cared about me she said that the ball was in my court. That I had to decide if I still cared about Mark. And I had to do it soon, so not to hurt Joanne. Deep inside I knew she was right. So I did a little soul searching, and I realized that I did still love him. But I had to figure out how to tell him. I knew I would need some help, so I went to the one person who knew every thing about Mark. I went home and called him.

"Mimi?" he answered on the second ring. "Is that you sweetie?"

"Um no, pookie bear it's Maureen" I responded tartly. "Why are you asking about Mimi? Aren't you two like joined at the lips?"

"Ha ha Mouth, very funny." Roger said. "Actually, she's pissed at me again right now because she said I was looking at another stripper. And I told her she was the only stripper for me and that she could be my personal lap dancer if she wanted. I don't know why she got so mad."

"Women aren't possessions Roger." I informed him. "We don't like to be objectified. And it's no secret that you are a little pervert, so you probably were looking at some random stripper."

"Hey I'm a guy, so sue me. Or rather don't you'll sleep with lawyer again." he joked.

"You know what? Fuck you Roger!" I said angrily slamming down the phone. I know it was stupid for me to get so upset, but I was sick of Roger always ragging on me about that. And I really wished he'd stop calling me Mouth. So what if I was a little loud sometimes?

I sighed and went to my refrigerator to find something to eat. I settled on a veggie burger and some chips. I was sitting down to eat when the door bell rang. Knowing my luck it would probably be Joanne. But much to my surprise it was Roger standing outside when I opened the door.

"What?" I asked full of hostility

"Mimi is being really mean to me so I decided to come over here and see you." was his reply.

"Yeah Roger, what part of 'fuck you' don't you understand?" I snapped at him.

"Jeez, I didn't think you were serious. You know how I love to joke around." he said.

Now I was really mad. "Yeah well you like to sleep around as well but that doesn't you should." I said angrily

"Oh God that's rich coming from the Queen of the Loudass Lesbosluts." he snapped back. That really hurt me and I started to cry.

"Hey" he said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound like that. Please don't cry Maureen." He closed my front door and wrapped hi big arms around me.

"But you're right" I sobbed into his chest. "I am a slut. God what have I done to him? I love Mark. What am I going to do?"

"Whoa," he said pulling back. "You love Mark?"

"Yeah" I answered sniffling "I really do."

"Wow" Roger responded. Then he looked at me. "Hey you know you're really cute when you're not yelling and acting crazy Mouth."

"Thanks" I chuckled. "Roger would you please stop calling me Mouth?"

"Sure" he said back, suddenly very close. "If I can kiss it. Your mouth I mean." Before I could answer, he had pressed his warm lips against mine. We kissed for about thirty seconds and I felt nothing.

"Roger" I whispered. "Stop we can't. Mimi and Mark remember?"

"Oh yeah" he grunted. Then he broke into a smile.

"What are you grinning like that for?" I demanded.

"Do you realize what just happened here?" he asked me "The old Maureen would have jumped on my fine ass and cheated the night away. But you didn't. You must really love Mark this time.

"I really do Roger, but I don't know how to tell him." I said. "I can't very well walk up to him and blurt it out."

"Why not?" Roger wanted to know. "Mark loves you too, so he should be glad to hear it. Did you know that before you two broke up he was talking marriage?"

"Are you serious?" I gasped "Mark wanted to marry me? Why?"

"I asked myself the same question when he told me." I hit him in the head, "Hey you know we didn't really get along back then Mou- I mean Maureen."

Just then my phone rang again. It was Mimi this time.

"Hi Maureen" she said "Have you seen Roger?"

"Yeah, I just saw him. He was on his way to your place with a big bunch of flowers."

"Aww" she gushed "he's so sweet." I hung up and handed Roger a ten dollar bill.

"What's this for?" he wanted to know

"Hello, Mimi's expecting flowers. You helped me so now I'm helping you. Now go on and see your girl."

"Thanks Maureen" he said hugging me again. "Well duty calls." and with that he left.

I laughed to myself as he walked out the door. Then I plopped down on the couch. What on earth was I going to say to Mark? If he was thinking marriage was I ready? I really didn't know about that. So I had just decided to take a hot bubble bath to ease my brain, when my phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered snatching it up.

"Hey Maureen" Joanne's voice said over the phone. "We need to talk. Can you meet me at the Life Café at nine?"

"Okay" I responded meekly "I'll be there." Well this is as a good a time as any to tell her about Mark. I thought to myself.

The first thing I noticed when I entered the Life café was that Joanne was not there. It was odd because I was a good fifteen minutes late and Joanne was always on time.

"Hey" the waiter called to me. "You Maureen?"

"Yeah" I answered

"Someone left this for you." he told me handing over a folded piece of paper. I sat down and unfolded it. It was a letter.

Dear Maureen, it began in Joanne's perfect handwriting.

I know this will come as no surprise to you, but I know you want to cheat on me again. Unlike all the other times however, I am ending this before it happens. I will always care about you Maureen. You taught me a lot about myself and how to let loose more. I thank you for that. I know this sounds like I am dying or something, but we'll still be friends. I just wanted to clarify our position beforehand. So we don't need to discuss it anymore. Good luck with Mark.

Love,

Joanne

Wow, she made it so easy for me. "Thank you Joanne" I whispered. I got up and left the café. If Joanne could do this, then I was going to take the plunge and go talk to Mark.