Chapter 10
For the past week all four of the couples have gotten closer. However, one day Mimi got a call from the last person she ever thought would call her. Her cousin Allison.
'Ring. Ring.' Went the phone in the house.
"I'll get it. It's probably my uncle." Mimi said as she approached the phone. "Hello?"
"Mimi, it's me Allison. How are you?" Allison asked putting on an act.
"I'm doing better Allison. Now tell me really why your calling?" Mimi asked knowing that Allison was acting like she cared when she really didn't.
"Why did you make up that story about my husband and you? I know that he really didn't attack you and beat you almost to death like the police and papers are saying. So why are you doing this to me?" Allison asked her voice that of anger and worry for her husband.
"Allison, I didn't make anything up. Christmas day as I was leaving my job Benny, your husband, came up behind me and started beating me with his fists. He kept saying that I ruined his dream and that he was going to make me pay. He threw punches at me and when I fell to the ground, he started kicking me. I had the bruises to prove it. Allison you have to believe me. I didn't do this to hurt you." Mimi explained. She could feel her anxiety growing.
"You liar. You did this to get back at me for God knows what reason. And I want you to stop and set the record straight. You might have fooled my father, but you won't fool me. I know the truth you whore. I know that you work at a strip joint and that you have AIDS. So, this pathetic attempt at acting all innocent is a waste of time. I know the truth so just admit that your making this whole thing up already."
"I'm sorry Allison but I'm not making anything up."
"I'll get you for this Mimi. Just you wait. Remember pay back is a bitch. Like you are." With that Allison slammed the phone down and hung up on Mimi leaving Mimi feeling scared, alone and her anxiety at an all-time high.
"Mimi there you are… Hey are you ok?" Joanne asked when she saw how pale Mimi was.
"I can't… I can't breathe." Mimi said as she started hyperventilating.
"Ok have a seat. That's it. Now take slow breaths." Joanne said as she tried to calm Mimi down.
"Ro…Roger?" Mimi asked knowing that she needed Roger. She knew that he would be able to help her calm down.
"ROGER!" Joanne yelled as loud as she could.
"YEAH?" Roger called from the top of the stairs.
"GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE. MIMI NEEDS YOU." With that Roger was at Mimi's side in seconds.
"Mimi. Shh I'm here." Roger said as he pulled Mimi into his arms. He lifted her up bridal style and carried her to their room so that they could be alone. After he sat down on the bed, he kept her in his arms and he rocked her back trying to calm her down. "It's ok. Your safe. I'm here." Was all that he could say.
As Mimi calmed down some, she looked at Roger with pain filled eyes. "I can't do this Roger."
"Do what baby?" Roger asked wondering what had happened to make Mimi react in the manner that she did.
"Allison blames me for Benny being in jail. She thinks that I made the whole thing up. I tried to tell her the truth but she wouldn't believe me. And she said that she'd get me for this and that pay back is a bitch. I'm scared Roger. Allison has a mean and aggressive streak in her when I'm in the picture and I can't do this anymore. I need to tell the police that I'm dropping the charges." Mimi explained as she sobbed into Roger's shoulder.
"Mimi what if he attacks you again and this time kills you? I mean yes you might be scared of Allison but I think, and I speak for everyone here in this house, that we will protect you from anything. And if you ask you can get a restraining order on Allison and Benny so that you'll feel protected and have the law on your side." Roger said in a calm and soothing voice.
"Do you really think that, that will stop them and protect me?" Mimi asked her eyes now puffy from all her crying.
"I know that it can't hurt. But I would talk to Joanne about that. She's a lawyer and all. Me I'm just a broke musician." Roger said successfully making Mimi laugh.
"Ok I'll talk to Joanne but later I need you now." Mimi said in a seductive tone.
That night Mimi told everyone what had transpired between her and her cousin Allison. Needless to say what Roger had said was true. All of her friends would protect her.
"If you want Mimi, I can file the restraining order for you. I can get on that right now if you want." Joanne said.
"You all are great thank you and Joanne if you could do that, I would greatly appreciate it." Mimi said feeling all the love that was in the room.
"Any time." Joanne said as she left the room.
"Alight how about some fun." Collins said as he stood up.
"What did you have in mind Collins?" Mark asked as he grabbed his camera.
"Well, I'm Thwarted by A Metaphysic Puzzle
And I'm Sick of Grading Papers-That I know
And I'm Shouting in My Sleep, I Need A Muzzle
All This Misery Pays No Salary, So
Let's Open Up A Restaurant in Santa Fe
Oh, Sunny Santa Fe Would Be Nice
We'll Open Up A Restaurant in Santa Fe
And Leave This to The Roaches and Mice
Oh-Oh
ALL
Oh-
ANGEL
You Teach?
COLLINS
Ya - I Teach Computer Age Philosophy
while My Students Would Rather Watch TV
ANGEL
America
ALL
America!
COLLINS
You're A Sensitive Aesthete
Brush the Sauce onto The Meat
You Could Make the Menu Sparkle with Rhyme
You Could Drum A Gentle Drum
I Could Seat Guests as They Come
Chatting Not About Heidegger, But Wine!
Let's Open Up A Restaurant in Santa Fe
Our Labors Would Reap Financial Gain
ALL
Gain, Gain, Gain
COLLINS
We'll Open Up A Restaurant in Santa Fe
And Save From Devastation Our Brains
ALL
Save Our Brains
We'll Pack Up All Our Junk and Fly
So Far Away
Devote Ourselves to Projects That Sell
We'll Open Up A Restaurant in Santa Fe
Forget This Cold Bohemian Hell
Oh-
Oh-
COLLINS
Do You Know the Way to Santa Fe?
You Know, Tumbleweeds...Prairie Dogs...
ALL
Yeah"
"Thanks Collins." Mimi said with laughter as she gave him a hug.
"Any time girl." Collins said giving her a hug back.