Thanks for all the reviews and suggestions. I've tried fitting Benny in and I just can't seem to fit him in and still have the story flow like I want it to...sorry. If this really bothers some of you, I'm sorry...I'll put Benny in my next fic. But I hope you like this one...Maureen and Joanne finally talk. Enjoy!
(Joanne's POV)
My eyes never left hers while she slowly walked to our table. She looked just as I remembered her. Her massive dark curly hair perfectly framing her face, her intense green eyes with just a hint of vulnerability, and her tone, fit body being covered with clothes that fit just tight enough to not reveal too much but making you wonder even more what she's hiding underneath. I couldn't believe that I was seeing her again.
I was startled out of my hypnotic state by Kristin before Maureen even reached our table. "Joanne?" she asked, a hint of worry in her tone, "are you ok?" she continued, placing her hand on my leg.
"Oh yeah," I casually replied, "just fine honey," then Kristin leaned over and lightly kissed me. When I pulled away from her I noticed that Maureen had reached our table. I looked up at her to realize for the first time since I've known Maureen I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
The tension between us was obvious; neither of us spoke we just stared at one another. So thankfully Mark was quickly on his feet walking over to hug Maureen hello.
"Hey Maureen," he uneasily said, obviously praying that the tension wouldn't get any worse, "have a seat." He reached over grabbing an empty seat from a nearby table pulling her a seat up where else but right beside me.
The scene was quite awkward at first. I glared at Mark, somehow knowing that he hadn't mentioned to Maureen that my girlfriend would be here with me; I wonder if Mark had even mentioned to her that I have a girlfriend. Oh I don't know, I just wish someone would just say something.
And then someone did; however it was the last person I was expecting to say anything. "Hi my name is Kristin," she politely introduced herself to Maureen, extending her hand to greet her; "I'm Joanne's girlfriend." With that she wrapped her arm around my shoulder; my eyes immediately went up to see Maureen force a congratulatory smile. I don't think Kristin was doing this to rub it in Maureen's face that she was now my girlfriend; for all Kristin knew I hated Maureen…which I do…don't I?
And just like the professional actress, Maureen tried her best to cover up whatever feelings she had at the moment. "Oh, well it's nice to you meet you Kristin." I noticed Maureen glance over at Mark; she looked as though she could kill him right now. "Congratulations Joanne," her eyes had turned away from Mark's now looking into mine. Her voice was much calmer when she spoke to me. "I'm happy for you," she seemed to be sincere, yet in some way I could see the almost disappointing look in her eyes.
"Thanks. How have you been?" I awkwardly asked. I felt completely trapped sitting between Kristin and Maureen. Kristin's arm was still draped around me, holding me close to her; Maureen looked ready to break seeing the two of us together, yet was putting up a front like she wasn't bothered by this fact. I don't know if Kristin, or anyone else, at the table could see it, but I could. I know Maureen…even after five years, I can see it in her eyes.
"I'm good," she nodded.
The awkwardness and tension again started building. There was so much I wanted to say to her, so much I wanted to ask her but couldn't. My emotions were going crazy. Part of me wanted to reach over and kiss her, then there was part of me that wanted to bitch her out and slap her. I had obviously become completely lost in my thoughts as I could now hear them talking, but I wasn't sure what any of them where saying. It all sounded muffled to me. I was becoming more and more uneasy sitting there. My heart was starting to race and I couldn't seem to sit still. I didn't know what I was supposed to be feeling or even what I wanted to be feeling. I needed to just get away for a minute.
So politely and somehow calmly, I stood up excusing myself, "Excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back."
Kristin stood up with me gently kissing me, "Are you ok baby? Do you want me to go with you?" When I heard Kristin call me baby, I instantly glanced over at Maureen whose face had dropped. I had always hated anyone calling me baby; well anyone except for Maureen and Maureen knew that. Baby was a pet name reserved for only Maureen to use; and now she's hearing my new girlfriend call me that.
"No I'm fine," I reassured her as I looked back up at her, "stay here, I'll be right back," I softly kissed her cheek and quickly made my way to the bathroom.
I made my way into the bathroom; thankfully no one else was in there. I stood leaning up against the sink, staring at myself in the mirror. I didn't think that seeing Maureen again would cause me to become so frantic. I had pretty much hated her for the past five years; why can't I just hate her for. It was easy that way; I hated Maureen and I loved Kristin end of story. But no, Maureen walks in and just like the first time she walked into my life, I was completely blown away by her. As I stood there, staring at this mess of emotions that I had become, I noticed the bathroom door being swung open. Expecting to see Kristin walk in I hurriedly try to compose myself, not wanting her to suspect anything or worrying about me. As I spun around though I see that it's not Kristin walking through the door.
"Are you ok?" Maureen softly asked me, just barely standing inside the bathroom.
"I'm fine," I huffed as I turned back around to face the mirror, trying to keep calm. "What do you want?" I hastily asked her as I began washing my hands; any activity I could do right now to distract myself was good.
"I just…" she started as she took a few steps towards me, "Joanne it's so good to see you," she sighed. "I've missed you," she continued as she walked up directly behind me.
"Don't even start," I yelled as I turned around to face her. "I don't want to hear it Maureen…you're the one that chose to have it this way," I continued as I grabbed a paper towel to dry my hands.
"Wait a minute, this wasn't all my fault you know," she fired back at me. "You're the one that moved."
"I asked you to come with me. But no you couldn't leave this damn city to come with me…to come with your girlfriend, who you supposedly loved," I made sure to exaggerate the word supposedly.
"I did love you," she furiously screamed, "damn Joanne I still do." I froze I didn't know what to say back to her. She slowly walked over to me, sliding her hands down my arms until she reached my hands, tightly grabbing hold of them. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, remembering how she could always make me melt by just touching me. But my rage took over again as I jerked my hands away from hers.
"But I don't love you anymore," I harshly, yet softly told her. We both stood there in complete silence, just staring at one another. I continued my voice becoming gentler now, "Maureen, what we had was great, but you gave it up. You hurt me so much. Damn Maureen I loved you so much, don't you know that?"
Before either of us could say anymore, I heard a voice interrupting us from the doorway, "Joanne you ok?" Kristin had walked in; apparently our screaming had got pretty intense. She walked up beside me wrapping her arm around my waist.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Come on let's just go back out to the table." I told her.
"Ok," she calmly told me, taking hold of my hand walking me back out to where both Mark and Cara were waiting.
A few minutes later Maureen came back out of the bathroom. It looked as though she'd been crying. But I couldn't blame her; because if I wasn't sitting out here I'd been crying too. Our eyes met for just a moment as she took her seat. But knowing that it would be in the best interest of everyone at our table, not to mention the coffee shop, I quickly turned away from her continuing my conversation with Mark.
We all stayed a while longer; talking about whatever topic would happen to arise. Maureen and I never directly talked to one another the rest of the night. The mood between us was still too intense. I would steal a few quick glances of her though when she was speaking, but would quickly turn away and hold a little tighter onto Kristin.
Finally we all got up to leave. As all five of us stood out on the street, ready to part our separate ways; the awkwardness of the scene was almost unbearable. Kristin of course politely said goodbye to Mark and Cara, congratulating them yet again on the baby. She even hugged Maureen goodbye, telling her that she was glad to finally meet her as well. I held so tight to Mark when I said goodbye to him; I never wanted to let him go. He made me promise that I would keep in touch this time and I'd make a trip back to New York once Roger was born. Of course I promised, mentioning that I might even call him before I left again seeing that I still had until Tuesday until I left. He nodded saying that he'd love to see me again too. I hugged Cara goodbye, telling her how lucky she was to have Mark, she giggled cuddling into Mark agreeing with me. Then I walked over to Maureen.
"It was nice to see you again Maureen," I finally muttered.
"Nice to see you too," she quietly responded. Surprisingly she then quickly wrapped her arms around me pulling me into a hug. She pulled me close against her body, tightly holding onto me. I couldn't help but hold her just as tight. I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath, remembering how good she always smelled.
I released my body from hers, looking her into those gorgeous green eyes, "goodbye Maureen," I quietly told her.
"Goodbye Joanne," she replied as I saw a single tear fall from her eye.
I then walked over to Kristin, taking hold her hand, leading her back in the direction of our hotel. I turned back around once more to see Mark's arm around Maureen, her head buried in his shoulder. I waved goodbye and turned the corner out of their sight. I looked over at Kristin and smiled; remembering how lucky I was to have her. I had never gotten the chance to say goodbye to Maureen five years ago; now I had gotten to, maybe that's all I ever really needed…was to say goodbye to her.
Let me know what you thought...please review! And no this isn't the last ch if you were wondering. Since these chs seem to be somewhat short, I'm trying to update as quickly as possible with them. So if I get enough reviewsI might add another ch later tonight (Sunday)...that is if I get the time to write it as well. Thanks for reading!