Chapter 5: Runaway First Dates and Blowouts
It was Saturday and the day of Roger's date with Mimi came. He reluctantly thought it would be a good idea as a way to repay her for nursing him after his attack two weeks ago. It was a already October and the weather was getting a bit chilly outside. Everyone was over aggregating with how Roger should act on his date and what to talk about. Joanne and Maureen came over to help him choose what to wear while Angel and Collins kept Courtney entertained and of course, Mark was documenting Roger getting ready.
"No this one doesn't look right," Maureen replied pulling out one of Roger's shirts, "Here what about this one?"
"Maureen we're trying to make him look charming," Joanne added, "This is Roger's first date in five years. C'mon that one will make turn her off."
"Pookie c'mon I was once his former roommate so I know my friend's taste in clothing," Maureen replied.
"Maureen c'mon let me pick something decent out for him and…" Joanne argued.
"No let me pick something…" Maureen argued as the girls began to fight over what Roger should wear until Roger got fed up and made his presence known.
"Fuck would you two knock it off!" Roger yelled, "I'm a grown man and I can pick out my own clothes! You guys are driving me nuts! Just let me change on my own and let me pick out what I want to wear! Every Saturday there's always a congregation here at our place! Don't you guys have anything to do better than come over and bother me?"
"What a kill joy!" Maureen and Joanne replied leaving Roger's bedroom, "We'll let Mr. Moody here get ready then!"
"Finally some peace and quiet," Roger sighed in relief as he pulled out a pair of jeans and one of his khaki shirts and a jean jacket to wear, "I think…this looks okay I guess. So much expectations for a first date. These guys must be out of their minds."
Roger walked into the living room to find everyone anxiously waiting for him. Courtney drawing on her art board and saw her dad ready to go out on his date. Mark had his camera out and he began to film Roger double checking in case he forgot anything.
"October 11, 7:30pm eastern standard time," Mark narrated, "So Roger is getting ready for his date with Mimi. It's been five years since Roger has been on a date with any other woman besides his wife April. I'm surprised that Roger agreed to take the girl who saved his life out on a date as thanks for her gratitude and for once he's at least out of the house on a Saturday. I find that Roger is a bit nervous about interacting with someone else that is not his dead wife."
"Cut that camera!" Roger snapped, "Look it's just a friendly date with Mimi. I owe her for saving my life and nursing me back to health. I feel better now thanks to her. You can layoff waiting up for me on the details of what is happening tonight because I believe it's none of your business. So I'm off and if you are all to baby-sit my daughter, she's in bed no later than 10pm since it's Saturday night. Mark you got the number of my new cellphone so just call me if anything happens and…turn that camera off gosh I'm off!"
"So I guess he's got this under control then?" Angel asked.
"Okay I think that's a wrap," Mark said as Courtney ran pass him to catch up with Roger. She apparently had something in her hands she didn't her aunts and uncles to see.
"Daddy! Daddy wait!" Courtney called out, "You forgot these!" She handed him a bouquet of lilies, "I made sure that Uncle Mark and the others didn't see! Have fun tonight!"
"Thanks sweetie at least you're not giving me high expectations for my date," Roger smiled giving his daughter a kiss, "You don't give Uncle Mark and the others a headache okay? Wait let me rethink that…keep them occupied for me so they wonder what I'm doing tonight?"
"You mean act like the little cute girl who needs attention?" Courtney joked, "I can do that! I can play tea party with them! I love you daddy!"
"Pray for a miracle kiddo for me okay?" Roger smiled as Courtney went inside. Roger walked to Mimi's apartment door and he knocked it. Mimi opened the door and she was dress in a jean skirt, a violet shirt, black boots and leather jacket. Roger found her a bit attractive when she smiled and saw him.
"You're looking well for someone who nearly suffered a nasty beating two weeks ago," Mimi replied, "I see you're doing quite well."
"No thanks to you Miss Marquez," Roger smiled giving her the bouquet of lilies, "Here these are you…I'm not sure if huh…well you…"
"They're thoughtful and they're pretty. Mimi said, "I guess…this is your first date then in five years? Don't worry…I'm in the same vote as you so we'll be nervous together. I could hear all the commotion from upstairs with your friends. Did they decide to checkup on you?"
"Unfortunately yes and also the fact they're all going to crash at my place, look after my daughter and get the 411 on my date," Roger sighed, "I didn't want to disclose any information about where we are going tonight. They were expecting something in the lines of a dinner and a movie…the normal clichés of a first date. Actually…I'm kind of hesitating of the idea of going to a Latin Club tonight. However, I left the choice of the date up to you."
"C'mon I thought you weren't one of those people who believe in the clichés of a typical first date?" Mimi smiled, "So c'mon are you ready? Trust me…it will be fun."
"Will I regret it?" Roger asked, "Well…I could try something for a change that doesn't include me and my guitar."
Mimi and Roger headed out on their date to the Latin Club that night. It felt awkward for Roger being in a Latin Club for two reasons. The first is he's never step foot in one and the second was that there was a lot of dancing involved. Roger was a terrible dancer and since he noticed that the music in the club was very fast paced, he knew that he was going to be for a rough night. The two of them sat at a table having some drinks and ordering a bit of food. He hadn't found himself in a imitate position with another woman besides April in over five years.
"I…wanted to thank you again for two weeks ago," Roger replied, "I…thought…I would have been dead that night if…it weren't for you. As I said…I was in need of an angel that night…my daughter…you can rely on her for some divine intervention."
"I told you there's no need to thanking me," Mimi said, "I was there at the right place at the right time I guess. Probably it meant it was some sort of chance or dumb luck."
"Maybe I should have been dead that night," Roger sighed, "But something always keeps me going for some reason…to live on and endure all this stuff happening."
"You sound like one of those people who feels like they don't deserve to live," Mimi added, "It seems like you didn't deserve to be saved that night. I know it's not my place to bud in but you shouldn't think that you deserve to live. You got a lot to live for…even living for your daughter. C'mon get up!"
"What…are you doing?" Roger asked as Mimi was pulling him up, "Mimi…I haven't finished my drink yet! Where are we going?"
"C'mon you got to learn how to let loose," Mimi smiled as she pulled onto the dance floor, "I think you're in need for another miracle tonight." Mimi lead Roger to the dance floor to blend in with the crowd. She put took her hands and put them on Roger and he of course felt uncomfortable and filled with anxiety.
"Huh Mimi…I don't know what I'm doing!" Roger complained, "I…don't even know how the steps! Please don't make me!"
"It's okay…just go with the music!" Mimi replied, "I don't know the steps either so just follow my lead! Trust me just follow the music! Ready?"
It was very fast pace on the dance floor as Roger was having difficulty following with the music, but thank god for Mimi. She also didn't have a clue what she was doing but she was just going with the music. For the first time in a long while….Roger was having fun, he was letting himself go of everything he was feeling. All of the regret, the guilt, and the heartache he held inside was slowly to begin to fade off. He still didn't have a clue what was doing, but he just felt free and alive despite being a terrible dancer.
"I don't have a clue what I'm doing…but I'm enjoying this," Roger smiled, "I thought you said you really didn't know much about Salsa music. You seem like a natural at this."
"Growing up being a Latina in New York it's natural to be used to this type of music," Mimi replied, "My mom and dad used to dance to stuff like this when we had family functions. I remember when I was eleven my cousin Gina was in this ballroom competition. She entered in the Standard Ballroom Latin category."
"So how long have you been dancing for?" Roger replied as they continued to dance.
"I've been dancing since I was four years old. I can do ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, a bit of tango and Latin ballroom. But unfortunately I've never been in a formal ballroom competition. I dreamed…about competing in one. I wanted to…but unfortunately I couldn't. At one point I attended Julliard for about two years after I graduated high school…but I got kicked out."
"You seem like a talented dancer and you even made it to Julliard…what happened?"
"I got kicked out…due to my battle with my own issues with baggage. I had some issues to deal with and I couldn't afford to pay to attend so I dropped out. Since I left Julliard…I've been working to make ends meet…I've did things I am not proud of and pay dearly for it."
"Everyone makes mistakes…and somehow they make up for it in life…I made so many mistakes and the crime I'm paying is living. You must have at least some dreams you want to pursue or something you wanted to do."
"Actually this sounds silly…coming from me," Mimi said as they danced to the next song, "I always wanted to enter at least one ballroom dance competition in the Latin category. The problem is…I don't have a partner and stuff like that is for professionals. Look at me…I'm living in the upper east end of Manhattan, I work at some rundown community center teaching dance classes, and they wouldn't consider anyone who once worked as a stripper. Being here is probably the nearest thing I'll come to dancing Latin Ballroom."
"I think…I'm starting to pick up on this whole Salsa thing," Roger said, "This…is not bad, but I don't think you should give up on your dream. Maybe someday…it'll happen. You'll never know what can happen."
"I guess it's beginner's luck…I'll be surprised if Roger Davis would don a pair of ballroom dancing shoes," Mimi smiled, "Either that or you'll be strumming that guitar of yours again."
"Don't hold your breath," Roger said hesitating, "But it would be nice to see you at the community center teaching. My daughter is really fond of you teaching her. My kid doesn't really have much of a female influence in her life to look up except Joanne and Maureen and sometimes Angel. Well…my feet are beginning to hurt."
"Yeah mine too," Mimi said, "Try dancing in these high heel boots. You want to stop then?"
"Yeah…my feet are giving out," Roger said as suddenly his pager went off.
"What's that sound?" Mimi asked as she heard Roger's pager go off, "What's with the pager?"
"Oh…it's nothing…just some business I need to deal with," Roger said as he tried to hurry off without worrying Mimi, "Listen…I got to go now."
"Roger! Roger wait!" Mimi replied as she chased him out of the club, "Roger! Where are you going?"
"Look I need to go!" Roger said, "You don't understand! I'm sorry but there are some things that I don't like to disclose here!"
"Okay one minute you were all let loose and now suddenly…you this mysterious disgruntled man once again," Mimi argued, "I know you have issues but gosh whatever problems you got in your life…don't let your frustrations out on everyone and the whole world! You need to calm down and relax! It's not like I'm not going to do you some harm! What your problem is that you seem push yourself away from anyone who tries to help you…as if you got some baggage you try to carry on your own. I just need to ask you what the heck is your problem in life?"
"Who are you to tell me about baggage?" Roger snapped, "You don't even know me! What makes you think you can help me? I'm fine alright! What gives you the right to try to barge in my life and try to preach about opening up? Listen…you don't know what my life is like! Don't try to tell me to calm down and relax! Don't try to ask what my problem is in life…if you want to you my problem right now is having you trying to stick your nose into my personal life and that is something I don't tolerate Mimi!"
"I don't know why I'm arguing with you," Mimi retaliated, "You let the littlest things set you off! I wonder if you're like this around your daughter! Some father you must be to Courtney!"
"Fuck you! Don't you try to bring my parenting skills into this!" Roger yelled, "The way I raise my daughter is definitely none of your business!"
"You know what Roger…this has been some whacked out end of a first date! One minute you're hot…then you're cold as ice the next minute! I don't even know what kind of woman would want to go out on a date with you! The way you act and your attitude will completely turn women off in a matter of seconds! I thought you were something else…but I was wrong! I regret agreeing to go out with you tonight!"
"I'm in the same vote as you…this was a huge mistake! I hope you have a good night and you know what…let's forget this ever happened okay?"
"Fine by me!" Mimi yelled, "Go home to your guitar! I guess that's about the only joy you got in your life! I feel bad for Courtney to have a father like you! I can find my own way home! I hope you drop dead on the way home! What an asshole!"
"Same to you bitch!" Roger yelled walking off and giving her the finger, "Hey maybe you can give someone a lap dance while you're at it!"
Roger stormed into the loft and slammed the door to his bedroom. It practically got everyone's attention. "What's up his ass?" The others thought. No one didn't want to knock on Roger's bedroom door in the mood he was, but it was Collins who had the guts to knock.
"Roger! Hey Rog' open up it's Collins," Collins replied, "Hey man are you okay?"
"What? Don't you guys ever go home?" Roger snapped opening the door, "What the hell do you want?"
"Hey chill out Roger gosh what's the matter now?" Mark asked.
"You know what I shouldn't have agreed to that date with Mimi," Roger said, "What the hell was I thinking? You know what Mark…I blame you for suggesting the idea!"
"Oh c'mon not this again Roger," Mark sighed in frustration, "I thought it would have helped you at least heal or open up and move on with your life. Jesus what is your problem?"
"My problem is that I shouldn't be living in the first place!" Roger snapped, "What gives her the right to preach about dealing with my problems! It's not none of her business to stick your nose in my personal life! She doesn't know that my wife had it easy dying a quick painful death while I'm still here living just slowly dying of this thing inside of me! She talks about baggage! She thinks it's easy to deal with your problems!"
"Maybe there she has a point!" Maureen replied, "You need to learn how to let go of whatever it is you're dealing with and move on and quick being so disgruntled!"
"You don't get it do you?" Roger asked, "It was my fault April died! It was my fault that my wife started using drugs again when she found out about my fling with Sophie! My marriage should have ended that night when April died! I ruined too many lives! Sophie's probably infected by now with HIV because of me and my wife is buried six feet underground! I'm still living with what? I'm living with the fact I'm HIV positive and with the guilt of driving my wife to her death! This isn't the baggage Mimi shouldn't be prying into! She talks about purpose well what do I got left to live for huh? My daughter…that's probably the only reason why I'm still breathing am I?"
"Okay Roger that's enough you got to stop," Joanne pleaded, "You're going to wake up Courtney if she hears you."
"She's better off without me and she wouldn't want to know that I killed her mother and that I'm slowly dying everyday of HIV," Roger yelled, "What kind of father am I huh? I can't even cope with all of this…my life, my daughter, going on through life with all this regret and what the hell am I suppose to do? If it wasn't for Courtney…I'll be dead instead. She's the lucky one between the two of us who gets to enjoy the pleasures of life!"
"For God sakes just stop Roger," Angel replied, "We're here to help you if you let us."
"What is it to you huh? What is it to you to try to…" Roger replied but he was suddenly cut off unexpectedly. Roger didn't notice that while he was ranting Courtney was standing there hearing everything her dad was saying. Roger turned to see and he found his daughter standing there on the verge of tears.
"Stop it!" Courtney yelled, "Stop it daddy and shut up! Stop making everyone unhappy! Why can't you be happy?"
It pained him to hear those words coming out from his six year girl…for the first time his little girl swore and he blamed himself for it. Courtney ran into her bedroom and then the room fell silent while everyone stared at Roger. Mark went to check up on the girl while Roger stood there. In one night, not only he ruined a perfectly good date with Mimi, but his relationship with his daughter has hit an all time low.
