A/N: Sorry that it took so long to update. I've been kind of… well, limited… when it comes to getting on for long enough to type this up. So, truth is, I've had this chapter on notebook paper for a long time. Less frequent updates lie ahead… sorry. But I'm babbling.
Oh yeah, one more thing: there's only going to be 2 or 3 more chapters of this fic. However, I have a sequel in mind. Review and tell me if I should!
Mimi's Secret
Chapter 6
Mimi sat curled up on her bed, shivering and sweating. Her teeth chattered, and she felt sick to her stomach. Why on Earth had she gotten herself into this mess? The rehab was helping a little, but she refused to stay long term, mainly because she didn't trust anyone with Melodie for that long.
Melodie was having her share of troubles, though, too. She was having a hard time understanding what was going on, so she was scared and confused by her mother's state of helplessness. She didn't understand why Mimi wasn't taking care of either of them. Mark, Collins, Maureen, and Joanne ended up coming more frequently to help both of them make it through the withdrawals.
Mimi couldn't take this shit any longer. She got up and walked to the alley outside, where the Man was waiting expectantly with a stash of smack for her.
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Meanwhile, Melodie was home in the loft, alone, and crying softly. The poor little girl had no idea where her mommy went. All she knew was that she was scared alone in the loft.
Luckily, Mark was coming home from work for the last time, and he heard her crying. He knocked gently on the door. "Melodie…?"
"MAWK!" she said joyfully.
"You okay?"
"Mommy's not hewe! I'm scawed!"
"Mommy isn't there?" Mark bit his lip, knowing full well where Mimi had gone.
"No! And I don't know whewe she went! I'm scawed!" she whined.
Mark wasn't at all surprised that the door was unlocked. He walked in and scooped a teary-eyed Melodie into his arms. "Hey, Mellie," he said, using their private nickname, "you gonna be okay?"
"I don't know!"
He hugged her closer. "You'll be fine, Mellie, I promise."
"You'we wight," she sniffed. "I've got my gauwdian Angew."
Mark looked at her, puzzled, for a couple seconds. "A guardian angel… What do you know about guardian angels, little missy?"
"ANGEW PWOMISED ME ONE!" she tantrumed. "ANGEW WOULDN'T FOWGET!"
Mark was more confused than ever. "Angel promised…"
"What the hell are you doing in my house?" Mimi snapped, having arrived in time to hear Melodie ranting about the guardian Angel.
Mark glared at her, more pissed than ever. He knew that she was high, why else would she be so pissed? "Taking care of your daughter. Which you should be doing yourself."
"Don't tell me how to raise my kid, Cohen. Get the fuck out of here."
Melodie whimpered, and Mark rubbed her back to soothe her. He put the toddler down at his feet. "I'll go this time, but if this happens again, she's coming upstairs."
"Get the fuck out!"
Melodie sobbed and clung to Mark's legs. "DON'T GO! DON'T GO! DON'T GO!" she screamed.
Mark gently pulled her away and left.
Mimi began packing a brown paper bag with clothes. "We're going, and we're not coming back ever," Mimi told her daughter. She got coats on both of them, and left through the fire escape.
As Mimi made her way to the park, Roger came back from Santa Fe.
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A/N: So…. More about the sequel… may include the following-Another generation of bohemians.
-Character deaths
-Marriages
-Teenage angst
-And more…..
REVIEW IF YOU WANT ONE! Or if you don't, review anyway!