Going to Donna's wasn't a decision Mike consciously made; it just happened. He didn't have anywhere else to go, really, and he didn't want to go home alone.
Besides, Mike was sure that Donna had told him that she once was a girl scout. Maybe she could help him out with his problem, because those girls know first aide, so maybe, using some handy girl scout tricks, Donna could take away the pain he felt in his chest? He didn't know. But it was worth a try.
When he got to her door, he stood there for a few minutes, trying to get his breathing under control and his heart to stop pounding and his eyes to stop leaking water. Because he couldn't admit to himself he was crying, at the moment. The cab driver, a sympathetic older man, had just let him sit and sniffle, but Donna would demand things and he wasn't sure his mind could handle that at the moment.
He sighed and let his head fall against the door, closing his eyes. He just wanted this day to stop, wanted nothing more than to go back in time and not get to know Tony. That, or go back and never agree to sell pot so he'd never meet Harvey and—
The door suddenly opened, and he stumbled forward, trying to regain balance. Donna stood there, jeans and a sweater, hair in a ponytail, and he didn't know what to say. He just simply wasn't prepared. How was he supposed to tell Donna that Tony was with Harvey and he walked in on them when he went to ask him out? How was he supposed to tell her that his heart was hurting, how could he get the point across that it felt like he swallowed shards of glass? It felt like someone had shot him, again?
Luckily for him, he didn't have to. Donna, before getting a job as Harvey's assistant, had worked in a bar, and had plenty experience with pathetic crying men. She knew when to push them and when to get them another drink and when to back off and when to cut them off. She had seen many a man who had been turned down or left. She was a woman of many, many talents. Mike was glad she was his friend.
She took one look at him and grabbed his tie, hauling him into her apartment. He stood, leaning against her wall, staring at her. He didn't want her to see him broken, he had only wanted someone to just be there. Trevor would've been his first person to go to, but he's gone and Mike's clean, so Donna just.. happened.
He started to apologize when she just watched him, because suddenly, he felt ridiculous. He was a kid in man's clothes; a rookie with too high of expectations for his life.
A loser who actually, genuinely, liked Tony. A freak who thought about love and moving in together, not banging on the kitchen counter.
"Look, listen, Donna—" his voice did not crack, no, it didn't—"I just, I, it's, sorry, I'll—"
"Don't be stupid, Mike; what happened?" She had her No-Nonsense face on, he had to tell her. But telling her would be a bad idea, he'd get shot or Harvey would and he'd be unemployed and he couldn't say, and holy shit, it's Friday night, what if he interrupted plans she had?
"I'm sorry, look, you probably have plans—" avoiding Donna's questions has never ended well, for anyone.
"I'm going to ask you what happened one more time. If you do not answer, I will call Harvey, and he—"
"No! No, Donna, God, don't call Harvey. Whatever you do, don't call Harvey. Anyway, I'm sure he's.. occupied, and won't answer."
"Occupied." Donna's voice was suddenly cold, like she knew, and goddamn, how did she even do stuff like that? How did she just understand?
"He likes guys, did you know that?" He asks instead, because that honestly had surprised him (aside from seeing him naked with Tony, of course). He didn't think his boss was bi-sexual.
Donna's jaw worked, and she looked murderous. And then her eyes cleared, and she smiled at him, sadly. "Yeah, Mike, I know. Do you still have reservations?"
The change of subject threw him for a second, because really, what? Did she think he was going to turn around and ask Tony out still?
"No. I mean, the table was reserved, but after I uh.." he paused, unable to tell her exactly what happened, because god, if he had to say it out loud that'd make it all too real. She waited, seemingly knowing his dilemma. He finally continued, "There was a couple, they were old, at the park, near—near Tony's. And uh, they, I was waiting for a cab and they said it was their anniversary so, yeah, they have the table."
Donna was grinning fondly at him by the time he was done, and held out her hand. "Cmon, Mike, that's great. I know just the place that'll help."
He followed her. It was good to let someone else take the lead.
"Where are we going, Donna?" Mike didn't mind following the woman, he was just curious.
"Somewhere better than Mezzogiorno. Trust me, you'll like it. I think we both need it." He didn't question it anymore; he trusted Donna.
"Chuck E Cheeses?" He asked, trying to lighten the mood. Every so often he sniffles, scenes from Tony's apartment and the events that occurred 14 years ago assaulting his brain. He tried to stay in control of his body in the beginning, but his heart and mind had other ideas. He tried hiding his sounds from Donna; the first few times he made them, she clenched her fists and looked pissed. He hoped it wasn't at him.
They eventually walk to the surprise location. Mike doesn't exactly remember most of the walk, and he doesn't really like the feeling of simply not remembering. He remembers the sidewalk, sure, but he can't tell you who he walked by, what they looked like (aside from Donna, who was a pillar of red warmth in the crowd.) He remembers seeing roses, passing by a menswear shop, passing near a Starbucks (that's where he met Tony. Not at that particular Starbucks, but at a Starbucks, nonetheless). And he remembers manly wetting his face (crying, he kept crying).
For a few seconds after he realized they stopped walking, he stares at the little place on the corner. The bricks are red, red like Donna's hair (it feels safe and he's attracted to it, to its subtle power) and the sign proudly proclaiming that this little shop is 'Leo's Eatery and Bakery'. It looks nice, and he turns to Donna, smiling slightly. "Was this your plan? Screw things up with Tony then woo me with Italian meals? You could've just asked for a date. I'm a nice guy."
Donna stared at him for second, narrowed eyes, before realizing that he's not serious. "You are a nice guy, Mike," she agrees softly, before grinning and holding out her hand, "C'mon, I know a guy. We get free food, and the cakes are to die for. And of course, entertainment." With that, she drags him in.
He briefly wonders if Leo's patrons and workers are like, strippers, because everyone inside is attractive, but quickly dismisses it, because Jesus, it smells like Heaven, and food never fails to distract him.
By the time he's done thinking that, a little old man is in front of them yelling, "Donna! Mia bella! Ciao, ciao! It has been too long. And who is he, mia bella? He is too skinny! You did right, bringing him here. Where did you find him, the streets?"
Mike is taken aback. Of course Donna's idea of a place to cure his heartache would be an Italian restaurant full of beautiful people criticizing his BMI. It was so Donna. But it worked. He laughed, looking down at his stomach, then back up at the man. "I guess we'll have to fix that, then?" his voice was a little hoarse (and he would be embarrassed, but he decided he deserved some leeway; he just watched his boss fuck Tony) but Mike is hungry and when God gives you Donna, lovely smelling food, and beautiful strangers, you forget about TonyandHarvey and make lemonade.
Not really happy with this, well.. I kinda am. ADVICE PEOPLE I NEED IDEAS FOR SOME OF THOSE ITALIAN PEOPLE HE MEETS HERE.
Because he will meet them.
BAMF!Donna kicks butt next chap, btw.
Review? *puppy eyes*