I knew where to go with this thanks to rentaholic00. for thanks, this is dedicated to you.
Chapter 7: At the Life Café—Again
"Hey, Mimi," Angel called, walking past the manager and into the seating area, "let's push these tables together!" They moved the small tabled to resemble one long table, and all sat on one side or another.
"We do this every time that we all come here," Mark whispered to Nannette, as she eyes the many people seated about her.
"The manager hates it," giggled Angel, from across the table, "but we still do it."
"Stick it to the man!" Collins shouted, lighting a blunt.
"Oh," Mimi laughed, catching Nannette's startled stare, "they don't care."
The painter looked at Mark. She smiled, and leaned into her ear. "I've seen Roger trash himself enough; I'll never get into drugs." She sighed with relief.
"My brother almost died from an overdose a few years back," she whispered back, "so I promised my mother I wouldn't even come close to doing that."
"Secrets don't make friends," said a snotty voice from behind them. They turned to see Maureen staring there.
"Hi," Nannette said, and turned to the empty chair next to her. "You want to sit here?" she asked. Maureen raised an eyebrow, but then nodded. "Your show was great," she continued, oblivious to the drama queen's annoyance.
"It was a protest," Maureen sneered.
"Oh," the girl answered in a mousy manner.
Mark turned to her. "I'm going to get the drinks with Roger," he leaned in to kiss her cheek and whispered, "I'm so glad that you two are getting along." He stood and went to the counter with his best friend.
"So," Maureen said, in a suddenly, but fake, gleeful attitude, "I was actually surprised when Mark said that you were OK with it."
"Ok with what?" Nannette asked, eyeing her.
"With him dating both of us," she answered matter-of-factly.
"What?"
"He did tell you, right?" The performer put on a confused and empathetic look.
"What are you talking about?" Nannette was getting upset and confused.
"Baby," she said straightforward, "your man's dating us both." Nannette sucked in a breath.
"What about Joanne?" she asked, holding back tears.
"Oh, she's mine," Maureen continued, "but sometimes the three of us have our own fun." She smiled wickedly. Nannette couldn't hold it back any longer; hot tears began to stream down her face.
"Why are you telling me this?" she chocked, "Why didn't he?"
Maureen leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl. Angel took notice, and began to watch. "Shhh," the drama queen soothed, "I don't know. He probably just wanted a little something on the side, that's all. I'm sure that you didn't mean much."
"What are you feeding into that girl?" Angel asked, looking sternly at Maureen.
"I'm not feeding anything into her. I'm just telling her the facts."
Angel reached over and patted Nannette's arm. "Honey," she asked, "what on earth is she telling you?"
"Oh, not much," she answered weakly, wiping the tears from her cheek, "just about how I'm just a little something on the side for Mark."
Angel couldn't believe her ears. She stood up, and pointed at Maureen. "Girl, what is your problem?" she asked loudly, drawing attention. Nannette became confused, watching the drag queen tell off Maureen. "Why are you lying to this poor girl? Can't you see that she's in tears?"
"So?" Maureen sneered.
"Mark came back to the table, carrying a tray of pitchers of beer. "What's going on?"
Nannette stood and looked at Mark sternly. "Mark," she said cautiously, "I want you to tell me the truth.
"Of course," he set the tray on the table.
"Are you seeing Maureen?" she asked, fighting back tears with her clenched fists.
"No!" he shouted, surprised, "No, I-I'm seeing you, I though." Nannette turned and looked at the woman who was lying to her.
"But baby," Maureen pretended to be offended, "what about us?"
"What about you?" Joanne asked, staring her lover in the eye.
"Pookie," she responded, laughing nervously, "I was just having some fun."
"So," Nannette though, "you're not involved with Mark?"
"No, I guess not," Maureen snapped, "he's all yours, slut."
Nannette looked at Maureen, and turned her gaze to the pitcher of beer on the tray. Before she knew what she was doing, she grabbed the handle and poured alcohol all over the drama queen.
"You whore!" she screeched, and grabbed a lock of Nannette's curly hair. Nannette tried to pull free, but couldn't loosen the grip. She kicked Maureen in the shin, who then just back, gripping her leg. She leaped back at the painter, who was pulled out of the way by Mark.
"We'll just leave," he announced to everyone, as he pulled the small but furious girl out the back door.
"Good idea," mumbled Joanne, who grabbed her lover's elbow and escorted her outside.