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Chapter 5

Roger and Crystal arrived at the Life Café about ten minutes later, and he held the door open for her as she walked inside. Maureen waved for them to come over to their table, so they rushed to it before they got the third degree from the head waiter. Roger and Crystal took of their jackets and sat down.

"Where's Mark?" asked Roger.

"You know how he is, he'll arrive eventually. So who's this you got here?" asked Maureen.

"This is Crystal. I met her at Life Support and we became friends," he said.

"That's so cute! I'm Maureen!" she said and extended her hand out to Crystal.

"It's nice to meet you, I hope you don't mind me being here," said Crystal.

"Not at all honey, it's a pleasure, besides we let Roger come" said Maureen jokingly with a wink.

They all laughed and Mark arrived moments later. He looked frazzled and was carrying his camera.

"Sorry I'm late, I just got caught up," said Mark.

"We figured, take a seat," said Roger.

Mark sat and Joanne said "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back."

After Joanne left, Maureen put her arm around Mark and said "How are you pookie?" It became obvious she probably drank the whole time she was there, and now she was very close to Mark.

"You look so stressed, relax" said Maureen kissing his neck. Mark tried to resist but couldn't, and he closed his eyes enjoying the affection.

"God, does she enjoying doing this to him? The poor guy can't say no" asked Crystal to Roger under her breath.

Maureen perked up after hearing this, and lowered her eyes in a deadlock stare.

"Excuse me, what was that?" she asked irritated.

"Nothing, I just asked Roger a question," said Crystal.

"Listen you little bitch, you don't know anything about us so stay out of it. Who do you think you are coming here and judging me?" said Maureen fiercely. She didn't take her cold eyes off of Crystal for one second.

"Maureen, knock it off!" said Roger.

Mark looked uncomfortable and Joanne arrived at the table a minute later in the middle of it.

"Little bitch! Who the fuck do you think you are, queen or something! I'll show you a little bitch!" said Crystal loudly.

The diners stared at the two of them and Joanne asked "What the hell is going on?"

"I'll tell you what's going on. You better watch your girlfriend here, it looks like her ex's neck is a favorite place for her mouth, but I'm not doubting other places as well!" said Crystal.

"Crystal, Maureen, stop! This is just a misunderstanding…" said Mark, but it fell on deaf ears as usual.

"Oh, so now you think you know all about this don't you! Well here's something you don't know missy!" Maureen walked over to Crystal and they were face to face.

"Stop it now!" said Joanne.

"You are nothing more than a fucking charity case to Roger, got that? You're just some poor pathetic loser that Roger took pity on and will probably end up sleeping with anyway!"

"Shut the hell up Maureen!" yelled Roger.

The whole restaurant was staring at the table after this like it was a good wrestling match.

"All you are is damaged goods and an easy piece of ass, so I think you should get off your fucking high horse because that's all you are, and that's all you'll ever be!" said Maureen to Crystal.

Crystal didn't know what to say after this, and her heart felt like it broke into a million pieces. Normally she would have punched her in the face, but this time she couldn't move. She was shaking and tears filled her eyes. After a moment, the whole restaurant was quiet waiting for what would come next.

The manager made his way over and said "Knock it off or you'll have to leave."

After a moment of being stared at by everyone, Crystal ran out of the Life Café. She began sobbing as soon as she was away for the café, and she felt the cold snow hit her face. She didn't know Roger was running after her, but he finally caught up with her and grabbed her arm.

"What is it, what do you want!" said Crystal between sobs.

"Do you actually believe her?" asked Roger.

"I don't know anymore. I don't know what to believe. Every time something that seems good comes into my life it's screwed up in some way," she said.

"Believe me, that's not what I'm trying to do. Have some faith in me damn it, I have faith in you. I mean, if I didn't would I be going through all this trouble?" he asked her, looking right into her eyes.

It can't be true, this feels different. He's different. Maybe I should just take the chance, let my guard down for once.

"You're right. I'm just used to being called those things I guess that it's natural to believe it," said Crystal.

Roger began coughing harshly and said "We better get inside, it's freezing and we don't want to get sick."

"Yeah," said Crystal and they both walked back inside.

Joanne got up and put her coat back on and helped Maureen into hers. Mark got his camera and all his belongings and walked up to Roger and Crystal.

"I'll walk home with you guys," he said.

Joanne, who had to help Maureen walk straight, walked up to them as well and said "I'm very sorry about this. This will be dealt with first thing tomorrow morning, hangover or no hangover." Maureen looked like she was trying to give a dirty look, but looked more like she had to vomit. They all walked outside to say their goodbyes, and then headed home.