Chapter 8: Hanging By a Moment
By around the holiday seasons, things have been pretty hectic and chaotic. For one, it was that time of the year where the Bohemians spent weeks doing Christmas shopping. However, Roger wasn't the biggest fan of the holiday seasons. The only reason why Roger put up with all the madness of the holiday seasons is for Courtney's sake. He thought that Christmas wasn't nothing but an overrated holiday commercialized by the retail business market. It was around the last few days before Holiday vacation and Roger was picking up his holiday payment and the demos he finished recording.
"Roger…Merry Christmas," his bosses Charlie and Grant replied, "Good job on selling out the show for Lifehouse at the House of Blues on Christmas Eve. Our sponsors and clients are amazed by the amount of work you contribute with Spark Records and at the House of Blues."
"Hey it's no problem," Roger replied, "So Charlie tomorrow night? The band will be at there for sound check at 3:30pm and I will be at the building by 7:30pm. I need you run the sound check on stage for me. Your staff has the menu ready for tomorrow night?"
"Yeah I need you to double check the VIP list and the bookings too," Charlie added giving him an envelope, "Here…as promised your exclusive all access VIP passes and tickets. You're one of the few concert promoters who are granted with these passes, actually the only one ever working for me to get one and Merry Christmas Roger."
"Thanks Charlie see you tomorrow night," Roger smiled as Charlie left.
"Listen Roger I was on the phone with one of the record companies up at Santa Fe," Grant said, "They are actually looking for some upcoming producers and songwriters. Have you heard of Cardigan Records?"
"You mean that new and popular record company up in Santa Fe?" Roger asked.
"Yeah…the latest demos you put out for the remixes to Lauren Mitchell's last track and your personal demos impressed me," Grant added, "You've been here for 8 years Roger and it put me in a position to put your work out there…so I sent those demos to Cardigan Records. They are actually…interested in considering to having you come aboard to work for them. It is you and seven other producers and songwriters on the east coast. You are some work of musical genius Davis. This is the big break here and I want to congratulate you on your work."
"Cardigan Records…are interested in me?" Roger replied shocked and yet excited, "My big break…in Santa Fe. Wow…this is unbelievable."
"Anyways I wanted to share the big news with my top producer and songwriter of Spark Records," Grant smiled as he shook Roger's hand and gave him the information, "I will be at the show tomorrow. Have a good day and Merry Christmas."
"Thank you sir," Roger said as he left to head home for the holidays.
At the loft, the gang was decorating the place for the holiday seasons. Usually they spent the last couple of years struggling to make it year after year to make ends meet. However, this year was going to be different. For the first time, they managed to decorate the loft with Christmas decorations. Angel and Joanne were wrapping Christmas presents while Maureen and Collins were putting up the Christmas tree and decorating it with help. Mimi and Courtney were baking Christmas cookies. Mark was filming it events going on in the loft.
"December 23rd, 7:30pm eastern standard time," Mark narrated, "For the first time in a long while…the loft looks alive with all these Christmas decorations. We all managed to hit the jackpot this year with the Christmas bonuses we received this year. Buzzline gave me my long overdue bonus thanks to the document on student protesting about inner city violence I made. I can see the joy in Courtney's eyes that this is going to be a completely different Christmas for her this year without us worrying about Roger going disgruntled about life or facing eviction, or going broke. Roger's been acting more actively alive lately and he's been drastically improving on his relationship with Courtney. Those two are tighter than ever."
"Mark Cohen is filming again everyone beware," Maureen teased decorating the tree, "Why don't you make yourself useful and help decorate this place…you live here too!"
"Well Maureen and Collins are having fun decorating the tree," Mark narrated, "Joanne and Angel finally finished wrapping the gifts. At least this year all of us will get to open something for once. We are privledged to welcome Mimi into our Bohemian group of friends after her encounter with Roger. At least she has forgiven him for what happened awhile back on their date. Both Roger and Courtney are growing fond of her. Mimi doesn't have anywhere to be this year for Christmas so with open arms, we let her join us this year for Christmas. Tomorrow night we're spending Christmas Eve at The House of Blues thanks to Roger. He booked a wicked Christmas show featuring Lifehouse…one of Roger's favorite bands. All we're waiting for is Roger to come home with our early Christmas presents." A minute later, Roger walked in the door as Mark continued filming.
"Jesus Mark get that camera out of my face," Roger replied covering the camera, "Let me guess another home video to watch huh? Wow…the place looks actively…"
"You mean it looks pretty and festive," Courtney smiled greeting her dad at the door with a cookie, "Daddy try one…Mimi and I made them."
"They taste very good…at least my daughter knows how to cook," Roger smiled eating the cookie, "That is one less member of this household who has to learn how to cook."
"Roger Davis doesn't know how to cook?" Mimi teased, "I guess that is why you and Mark shove take out food down this little girl's stomach for dinner on most days."
"Hey…I admit it I don't know how to cook Mimi but cooking is not what Roger Davis specializes in," Roger smiled, "He specializes in songwriting and music. Speaking of which…I got you guys your early Christmas presents…your all access VIP passes and tickets for the show tomorrow night."
"Oh goodie Lifehouse tomorrow night," Angel replied as each of them grabbed their passes and tickets, "Roger darling you know how to hook us up with the greatest concerts…you outdid yourself this time."
"I guess the dress code is casual semi-formal," Joanne replied, "Dress pants, skirts, blouses, the works I guess? For a light rock band…the dress code seems a bit high standard."
"The dinner is included with the show," Roger added, "The performance will start at eight and dinner is at 6:30pm in the stage area of the restaurant. I had to put those on reserve for months." Everyone looked excited and they were talking about the show, but Roger noticed Mimi was at the kitchen cleaning up the dishes and a bit upset.
"Hey Mimi…listen I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable and I'm sorry," Roger said, "If I could have only…"
"You had those on reserve for months I understand," Mimi replied, "You do stuff like this once a year I guess. I'm still new and I don't want to barge in on any traditions you have. Besides I have plans tomorrow. I'm going to work back at the Cat Scratch Club…I started working there again as of last week."
"I thought you were still teaching at the Community Center," Roger said, "Why are you working at the Cat Scratch Club again? C'mon Mimi you're a talented dancer…you can do better than that I know you can."
"I know but you do what you got to do to make money," Mimi sighed, "I went to an audition 3 days ago up near 5th avenue for a ballet…they said I wasn't proper suited to dance in the show…because of my status. They didn't care about my talent…they only cared about my social status since I live in the Bohemian neighborhood of 11th street and Avenue B. I shouldn't care about social status right?"
"That shouldn't stop you from dancing," Roger smiled, "We got dreams to remember and that's what keeps us going. My word of advice to you…I know you can make it if you take that leap of faith. The Cat Scratch Club is some place you don't want to go to celebrate Christmas Eve at…but it's your choice."
"Thanks Roger…here Merry Christmas," Mimi smiled giving him a present, "Since its Christmas I thought I might get you a little something. I gave Courtney her gift and I did get something also for your friends. I don't care if you open it now or you wait until Christmas…but I'm working tomorrow and on Christmas."
Roger opened the present and it was an old antique pocket watch, "Mimi…this must have cost you a lot of money. I…don't know what to say. No one has ever given me anything like this before."
"It didn't cost me a lot…it was my grandfather's," Mimi said, "I wasn't going to use it much so I thought I gave it to you…something to help you learn how to keep up with your priorities about being on time."
"Mimi I can't keep this…this is a family momentum I can't accept it," Roger said trying to give the gift back, "I can't keep this Mimi this is part of your family. I will feel guilty keeping it."
"It was once upon a time…and I want you keep it," Mimi insisted, "It is my gift to you for Christmas. It's not much but I want you to have…I mean it take it. I don't want you to give it back and just accept it as a gift from me okay? Listen…I got to go head off to work, Merry Christmas."
"If you wish," Roger replied as Mimi left, "Thank you Mimi and Merry Christmas."
"Daddy…what is that?" Courtney asked as she came up to her dad, "Is that a present for you?"
"Yeah tiny a gift," Roger smiled, "It was from Mimi."
"She gave me a gift too…she gave me some of her old dancing shoes when she was small like me," Courtney smiled, "What did she give you daddy?"
"It is a pocket watch," Roger said showing the watch, "It belonged to Mimi's grandfather and she gave it to me as a Christmas present. Mimi won't be here with us for Christmas Eve tomorrow because she has to work…unfortunately."
"I wish she could spend Christmas with us," Courtney replied, "She must be lonely daddy."
"So…do I kiddo," Roger sighed, "It would be nice for her to have a decent place to spend Christmas."
"Hey Roger we got a situation," Collins replied as he gave Roger the envelope that contained the passes and tickets, "Are you sure you counted for 7 tickets and passes?"
"Why is there a problem?" Roger asked, "What are we short one?"
"Actually…it's more of the opposite," Joanne replied, "There's an extra ticket and pass here. I think they must have given you an extra one by mistake. What are you going to do?"
Roger took the extra ticket and pass as he stared at it for a moment while everyone continued to finish decorate the loft. He looked at the pocket watch and then at the envelope. He wrote something on the front and slipped out of the loft to Mimi's apartment. He knocked on the door but she wasn't there…she must have went to work so he just taped the envelope to her door. "It's about time to pay off a long overdue debt," Roger thought, "I hope…I'm not that late yet. It's Christmas Time so…I hope she'll reconsider."
Christmas Eve had finally arrived and everyone was enjoying themselves at the House of Blues. Roger and the others were watching Lifehouse perform. It was fortunate that they got to meet the band before the show and everyone noticed a change in Roger. This year he was happy living life and he enjoyed spending Christmas with Courtney. However, they noticed that Roger wasn't fully happy and that there was something else he wanted.
"Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation; you take all of me now
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you
"Roger what's up man?" Maureen replied as he was sitting by the table, "Your favorite band is playing your favorite song out there. I assume you're all excited that Lifehouse is playing…but you look all gloom here. What's the matter? Everyone is rocking out on the floor there to your favorite band and you're over here moping around."
"I thought…my plan would work but I don't think she'll come," Roger said, "I thought maybe Mimi would have changed her mind to maybe drop by on Christmas Eve…but I was worth a try I guess."
"The extra ticket and pass…you gave it to Mimi," Maureen smiled, "You wanted her to come didn't you? Do you like her?"
"What kind of question is that?" Roger asked, "That's impossible…Mimi and I are friends. I thought she shouldn't be spending Christmas Eve stripping for drunken bastards you have nothing to do but get wasted. I thought it would be a way of repaying her with a gift."
"Then why did you give her the ticket then?" Maureen asked, "If you say you did as a friend offering some sort of generosity…that's bullshit. I've known you for a long time and just when you thought you couldn't go on…some leap of faith happens. She's gotten to you hasn't she? I will say don't pass up on a good opportunity like this. It is Christmas you may never know what will happen during this time of the year."
"There's something about her I can't explain," Roger replied, "I just wish…I don't know."
"You two have a lot in common than you think," Maureen added as she headed back out to the stage area, "That's what makes it perfect. You need someone…you can relate to."
"Mimi and I…a very paradox thought," Roger said to himself, "Me and her…two people with the same baggage to carry. Then there is Courtney I got to consider here…but she has taken a liking into Mimi."
About a few hours into the show it was almost time for the show to end. Roger went up for near the stage area to watch Lifehouse perform. Courtney was up there with the others while Mark was filming. Everyone was dancing to all the songs the band was playing. However, they all began to notice that Roger was staring at the entrance door the entire night hoping Mimi would come, but he had doubted she would show up. Instead, since it was Christmas Eve, he was more satisfied with spending it with his daughter and his friends. It was his first Christmas in five years where he found himself happy and living again.
"Roger I got to hand it to you," Collins replied dancing with Angel, "This has been one great Christmas Eve. For once we didn't have to worry about anything this holiday season."
"At least you don't have to worry about having our power blown out or eviction," Angel added.
"You could say that again," Roger smiled as he was dancing with his daughter, "So Courtney what do you think? Has this been a good Christmas so far?"
"Yes daddy and I got a lot of presents to open tomorrow morning," Courtney smiled, "But I'm happy to spend Christmas with you."
"That's my girl," Roger added, "Whatever makes you smile, makes daddy happy right?"
"Of course," Courtney said, "Do you think I'll get a present from Santa in the morning?"
"As long as you're a good girl all year I'm sure he can arrange something special for you, besides after all you are daddy's little miracle girl," Roger replied.
"I'll always be your miracle girl daddy," Courtney smiled as she saw Mark filming, "Daddy you have to smile for the camera! Uncle Mark is filming."
"What are you trying to do capture every single candid moment?" Roger teased, "There are a lot of single free chicks here tonight and I haven't seen you at least ask one of them for their numbers. C'mon Mark its Christmas Eve live it up."
"He has a point there Mark," Joanne added as she was with Maureen, "Or buy one of them a drink for that matter."
"I'll pass," Mark replied as he was talking to Roger, "So I see you're holding up quite well."
"C'mon this is Lifehouse man," Roger replied, "You know it took me five months to book them to play here. I figured what better ways to spend Christmas Eve at the House of Blues by having them play for the entertainment of the night."
"That at least can make Roger Davis smile," Mark added, "Or was there something else he also wanted tonight to happen?"
"If you're talking about Mimi…I figured she wouldn't show up," Roger said with a sigh, "She's probably working tonight. I was…aware of that. But it was worth a shot. I didn't want one of my friends to spend Christmas Eve in a rundown strip club."
"You were hoping for her to come," Mark said, "Because you were eyeing the door for the whole night while your favorite band was playing. You paid more attention to the door than to the band tonight. You like her don't you?"
"I…I…okay I do like her," Roger finally admitted, "But…will can she me in me?"
By the end of the night, Lifehouse was almost done with the show. They began to perform their last number which was "You and Me." Everyone on the floor was pairing up to slow dance for this song. Angel and Collins were dancing while Joanne and Maureen were up there. Mark, Roger and Courtney were standing off at the side of the dance floor watching everybody.
"What day is it?
And in what month
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
Cause it's you and me and all of the people '
With nothing to do, nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people and
I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
"It's almost midnight and what a better way to start off Christmas," Mark said, "Hey Courtney do you mind sharing a dance with your Uncle Mark?"
"It would be my pleasure Uncle Mark," Courtney smiled as she went ahead, "And daddy can up too. Besides…daddy's wish can come true now."
"What does she mean by that?" Roger asked confused.
"I probably guess…all that waiting has probably paid off Roger," Mark smiled as he turned Roger around towards the door and saw Mimi arrive, "Everyone finally got their wishes fulfilled…including you. Well…go to her then."
Roger headed towards the door and he was surprised to see Mimi there. She was dressed in a Navy blue silk mini dress and high heels. Roger slowly approached her hoping that it wasn't a dream and that she was actually there.
"I guess…Santa left me an early present," Mimi smiled revealing the VIP pass around her neck and the ticket, "I was thinking tonight and I found a note on an envelope saying I am long overdue to repay my debt. I hope you reconsider."
"And did that person finally pay off his overdue debt?" Roger asked.
"You can say that again," Mimi smiled, "He wasn't long overdue…he was on time for once."
"Dance with me?" Roger asked as he took her hand, "It's time I fully repay you back."
"I will…accept," Mimi replied as the two of them dance.
"All of the things that I want to say
Just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words, you got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
Cause it's you and me and all of the people
With nothing to do, nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people and
I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off you
"I wasn't sure…if you were coming tonight," Roger said, "I was sure that you wouldn't come because you were working tonight. I thought…that it would be better if you did spend Christmas Eve somewhere besides the Cat Scratch Club."
"I was on there for awhile but then…I found your envelope with the ticket and pass on my door when I came back," Mimi added, "I went for rehearsals and then I thought…it's Christmas Eve and there was somewhere better to be then stripping."
"Well I thought you wouldn't consider spending Christmas Eve with us," Roger said, "Or…with me for that matter."
"The reason why I took at long was because…okay I admit I wasn't dressed properly for tonight so I had to hit the stores at the last minute," Mini admitted, "Trust me Roger it's hard to find something good to wear on Christmas Eve. Does it look suitable?"
"To me…anything suits you Mimi."
"So…you and I are on this dance floor at the exact moment dancing to Lifehouse and pondering what happens next? I've been thinking about this for awhile now and I'm wondering to myself what is it do I see in Roger Davis? What makes him different from all the other guys I have known? No one is not perfect and life is all about taking a leap of faith. Where do we go from here?"
"You tell me…what happens next. I know right now I'm dancing with Mimi Marquez, the girl from downstairs who happened to once save my life one night and help me find my daughter. I know that she and I are two of a kind because we are carrying the same baggage that will someday put us in our place. I been pondering all night that there is something about this girl that makes me wonder what do I see in her?"
"Just tell me right now," Mimi asked, "What do you want tonight for Christmas?"
"I want…to just hang onto this moment because there's nothing else I want now," Roger smiled as he found himself for the first time sharing a kiss with Mimi, "Because…everything I wished for this Christmas is right here."
"So much for that leap of faith," Mimi smiled, "I guess…I'm looking forward to Christmas morning then with you? But I wouldn't have it any other way. This is the start of something new I guess between you and me. We were finally long overdue for that."
"Merry Christmas Mimi Marquez," Roger smiled, "I guess I've been repaid then."
"You have Roger Davis," Mimi smiled as she kissed him again, "Usually there's suppose to be a mistletoe but don't let the moment die out….it's Christmas and I like it this way."
Something about you now
I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right
Cause it's you and me and all of the people
With nothing to do, nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people and
I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of
You and me and all of the people
With nothing to do, nothing to prove and
It's you and me and all of the people and
I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
What day is it?
And in what month
This clock never seemed so alive
