Rose served breakfast the next morning with a lifted brow. "Was that Sonny & Jr. I just saw leaving?"
"Yes." Mercedes sat next to Marc.
"How does that work with your boyfriend, Marcy?"
"It doesn't." Marcy poured juice for the twins & herself.
"I thought Marce broke up with that guy?" Marc questioned.
"Nope. I broke up with Jr. last night."
"How'd he take it?" Mercedes wanted to know.
"Good, I guess. We're friends & parents now." She didn't mention the quick goodbye kiss he'd planted on her before she could evade his lips.
"Really?" Marcus didn't buy that. He knew his Jr. & that wasn't his MO.
"Really. We're going to be mature about this. Many people parent & aren't together."
"Speaking of which, how long is this trial separation supposed to last?" Marc bit into a strip of bacon.
"As long as it needs to until we either get back together or get divorced." Marcus said.
"Which we won't." Rose put in quickly.
"Right." Mercedes didn't let on how freaked out she was about the situation. "So we're going shopping today. Marc, will you watch the kids so Marcy doesn't have an excuse not to go?"
"I should be a good big brother & say no & help her out but I feel a little wicked so sure." Marc grinned.
Marcy narrowed her eyes. "You yellow-bellied sea slug!"
"Are you calling me a coward?!"
"& a slimy bug."
He glared at her. "Just for that, I'm keeping them all day!"
Mercedes clapped. "We'll go to the mall immediately!"
"What about your dog? We have to get Ozzie." Marcy protested.
"You're right!" Mercedes couldn't believe she'd forgotten her beloved dog. "But we can get him after. Your friend won't mind watching him for the morning, will he?"
"How should I know? He probably has to work."
"He'll watch him." Mercedes was sure. "I've got the stores we gotta hit."
"Joy. More than one store."
"You'll love it."
"Have we met?!"
Marc laughed. "Apparently she forgot if she thinks you're going to love shopping!"
"I'm going to make it fun for her!" Mercedes promised.
"Are we not going?" Marcy asked, tongue in cheek.
"You're going & that's final."
"Who mama is you?"
"Puck's." Mercedes batted her eyelashes.
"He does do whatever you say." Marc pointed out.
"I know. He's my second baby."
"I would ask who's your first but it's Jr., isn't it?"
"Yes, he is."
"Didn't he take your diary?"
"Yes, he did."
"Are you still going to kill him?"
"Yes, I am."
Rose chuckled. "Don't beat him too bad. He still has children to look after."
"I'll just beat him black & blue."
Marcy smirked. "I can't wait to see this."
"Me either. Make sure to do it when we're around." Marc added.
"Bloodthirsty, aren't you?" Marcus quipped.
"Not as bloody as her fist is gonna be!" Marcy leaned over to high-five Marc.
Mercedes caught the giggles. "I've thought about something for a while. Are you going to teach the twins English?"
Marcy made a considering face. "Sure. I guess. I never really thought about them talking past "mommy" so…"
"You are so self-absorbed." Marc shook his head.
"I know you're not talking when you're the one who dedicates songs to himself over the radio!"
"That was only one time!"
"That hour!"
Marcus & Rose laughed.
Mercedes smirked. "You look in the mirror more than anyone I know."
"& you always volunteered for those charity dates & auctions." Marcy added.
"I always brought in the most money!" Marc argued.
"Marc, honey, stop." Rose rubbed her hand down her face. "How'd you even get like this?"
Marcus made a face. "Really? You want to know how he got egotistical & conceited?"
"What are you saying? I'm not stuck on myself!"
"Momma, you have a healthy ego. You taught us to have confidence. That's not a bad thing." Mercedes soothed.
"Please! She's stuck on herself. But the good (if that's how you wanna look at it) part is, she's not alone. We're all mirror addicts." Marcy said.
"Excuse you! Who's all?" Marcus demanded.
"Come on, Daddy!" She lowered her voice. "Who's the best Daddy in the whole world?!"
"I was just stating a fact." Marcus sniffed.
Marc laughed. "It's okay, Dad. We happen to be the best people in the world."
"We are gorgeous." Rose flipped her hair.
Mercedes grinned. "We're messy is what we are."
"Is that why you take pictures of yourself every day?" Marcy asked.
Mercedes laughed. "Yes. I can't help it! I like to remember my on days."
"On days?"
"When I'm on point."
Marcy fell out laughing. "You make me happy."
Mercedes glowed. "Yay."
"So I was thinking; I'm not trying to get out of shopping I swear but I was wondering if we could stop by a hair salon. I've been blonde for months & I don't want to change it per se but I want something different."
"Different how?" Rose wanted to know.
Marcy shrugged.
Mercedes ran a hand through her hair. "Should I switch it up?"
"Yes. Take that horse hair outta your head."
"Marce! I don't wear horse hair! It's human!"
"It's creepy! You have hair! What are you doin?!"
Mercedes sighed. "Fine. I'll think of something."
"Thank you." Marcy swallowed the last of her juice. "Well I'm about to go get dressed & lay out the kids' clothes." She took her dishes to the dishwasher & loaded it up before heading upstairs.
"Wait? I have to clean them?!" Marc shouted after her. He turned to face the twins, who had syrup all over their faces.
Mercedes laughed at his face. "Thank you!"
M&MC
Mercedes made a considering face as she circled her sister. She was wearing a yellow plaid dress with a striped pattern on the top. "I like the black but this design is a little weird."
"I like the yellow." Marcy smoothed her hands over the skirt. "I'll get it. We have to go. It's going to take all day for my hair to get done."
"Okay." Mercedes went to her own dressing room & changed into her red maxi dress with gold gladiator sandals.
When she came from the room, she saw that Marcy had changed back into her clothes as well. She was wearing a grey tee with blue plaid button up with short sleeves & blue jean shorts & her brown fringe booties. She was holding the hangers of the clothes she was going to get & her purse.
"Do you have everything?" She asked.
Marcy nodded. "Yeah. I grabbed everything. Figured why not? & if I don't like it later, I can always return it."
"There's that." Mercedes folded her clothes over her arm & arched her purse higher on her shoulder. "Come on. There isn't a line."
"Good!" Marcy hated waiting in lines. It made her not want things she'd previously desired.
They walked to the cashiers & went to one each. The cashier Mercedes went to smiled at her. "Did you find everything okay?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you." Mercedes set all the clothes they'd found in an hour on the counter.
"Ooh! This is pretty!" The cashier held up a powder blue evening gown. "I wish I could afford these clothes!"
"Do they not pay you enough here?" Mercedes asked.
"It pays well enough for me to live on my own but I def. can't afford nice things."
Mercedes felt bad. "I'm sorry."
"At least I'm independent."
"I'm a college student. I completely depend on my parents." Mercedes grinned.
"See I didn't go to college. I hated school when I had to go so I was not about to be trapped for four more years & I didn't have to be."
Mercedes laughed. "I never thought about it that way."
"What are you taking up?" The cashier rang up another outfit.
"Dual. Music & pre med."
"Wow! A double major? I couldn't do either music or medicine. How do you do it?"
"Music's my passion. I'm a singer. The medicine is kind of a hobby."
"I've never heard of medicine being a hobby!" She laughed. "How does that work?"
"To be honest, I was just copying my boyfriend."
The cashier laughed again. "I copied my boyfriend by cutting my hair."
"He cut his hair?"
"He shaved it. He went through a metal phase." The cashier rolled her eyes as she hit buttons on the register.
"I am so sorry. My boyfriend went through a "terrify everyone" phase."
The cashier laughed. "Terrify?"
"Let's just say I have a snake phobia thanks to him." Mercedes gave a droll look.
The cashier gaped. "He did not!"
"Yes, he did!"
The cashier rattled off the total. "Cash, check or credit? That is so not funny!"
"It's not." Mercedes handed over a credit card. "I'm even afraid of little garden snakes."
The woman took the plastic & ran it through the scanner. "That's a shame. Why'd he do that?"
"To scare me. He thought it'd be funny."
"Sign here." The cashier ripped off a section of paper & provided a pen. "I'd have to kick his butt."
"Believe me; he caught a case." Mercedes signed her name on the slip & took her card back.
"Here's your receipt. Girl, you're better than me. He'd be by himself right now, if it were me."
Mercedes put the card back in her tan wallet & put both it & the slip of paper in her purse before picking up her shopping bags. "He is so lucky I love him."
"Aren't they both?"
Mercedes laughed. "Thank you!"
"Thank you for shopping. Come back anytime!" She waved.
Mercedes looked around to find Marcy talking on her phone near the front entrance. She walked over to her.
"Yeah. Be good for Tio, okay? I'll see you later. Yeah. Bye." Marcy hung up. "Took you long enough."
"Sorry. We were just talking boyfriends. Speaking of which, tell me more about Pierre."
Marcy sucked her teeth before walking out. "Like what?"
Mercedes hastened to catch up to her. "Like what's he like? Honestly like."
"I wasn't lying. He's a nice man."
"I'm not saying you were lying. Just that you leave stuff out. A lot. What's he like? His hopes & dreams. His interests. How freakin old is he?!"
Marcy sighed as they made it to Travis. She unlocked the doors & put her bags in the backseat. "He's twenty three."
"That old?! Marcy!"
"Leave me alone!" Marcy got in the front seat & plugged her phone into the car & put on music. She was known for playing soft jazz.
"You said you met after one of your shows. He must like the arts. What else does he like?" She got in the front seat & put her seatbelt on.
Marcy turned the car on & backed out of the space. "He's not too into the arts. He went because he got the tickets at work. He's an investment banker. His boss got the tickets but couldn't go so he gave them to Pierre as a gift."
"I'm assuming he had two tickets. Did he bring a date?"
"Yes, he did. Someone from work. I was coming from backstage to grab a drink & we bumped into each other. He complimented me & we got to talking. I thought he was nice so I gave him my number & he promised to call me. I went backstage & changed. Went home. He called two days later."
"You said you started dating last month. How was that?"
"It's okay. We have to go during the day because I have shows at night. He works during the week so it's on the weekend. I go to church with the kids & do chores on Sunday so it's been every Saturday of April."
"What have you done?"
"We went out for coffee the first time. We'd only been talking for two months before we went out so we were still getting to know each other."
"What have you told him about us? About you?"
"Nothing much. I told him about dancing my whole life. I told him I wasn't on speaking terms with my family or the father of my children. Other than that, we talk about him. We also talk about current events."
"You don't talk much, do you? He seems like the type to let a woman speak."
"He is. It was hard to get him to open up but he's more free now. But we don't talk a lot. At first it was once a week. Now it's about every other day. You know I don't like to call & he doesn't like to text so we compromise. Every other communication is what the other wants."
Mercedes nodded as Marcy pulled into the salon's parking lot. "That's good, I guess. Do you have anything in common?"
"Sure. He's very mature, soft spoken, gentle, really good with numbers & he knows his place in this world."
"You're extremely mature, slightly soft spoken, gentle with certain people, really good with numbers & you know your place in this world. I guess you do have things in common."
"I didn't always know my place. I'm still learning. I always knew who I was but when I was seven, things went to bits. I've been in a free fall ever since. I didn't start finding my footing until I was first able to see the twins." Marcy cut the engine & unplugged her phone.
"How was that anyway? We never asked."
"It was unreal." Marcy had a faraway look in her eyes. "I had been reeling & everything was in the toilet but the moment I was able to see these two little cherubs in these cribs smiling up at me, everything that had ever been wrong with me vanished. I was finally fixed."
"You were never broken."
"Yes, I was. I still am. I know that. I accept that. These diseases are for life. But I know that I did one perfect thing & that's have those kids. I've messed up a lot but giving birth was me getting it right. For once."
"You've done way more with your life than lay down & have kids. You're amazing. You have to know that."
"No. You're amazing. There were so many times I wished I were you. You were smart, pretty, talented, everyone loves you, you were completely lovable. You're like the perfect person."
"Are you kidding me?! I wished I were you! You're all those things & more! You're outspoken & honest in a way everyone is terrified of being. You're fearless & quick thinking. You're brave & creative. There have been so many times when I've sat by & let stuff happen to me because I've been too afraid to stand up for myself. I've let people run over me & kept my head down to keep the peace. I've felt bad about myself so many times; I was seriously close to hating myself."
"How could you hate yourself?! You're amazing! You're sweet & kind & nurturing. You're going to be the best mom I've ever met."
"Do you really think so?"
"Of course. You have patience with kids. They love you. You're respectful & respectable. You're a true lady. Classy. Except for that fugly animal print thing you love so much."
"See? There goes that honesty." Mercedes grinned. "How about this? We stop thinking the worst of ourselves & remember how amazing we are."
"I'm in. Self-hatred is tiring. How about this? We grab a drink-"
"It's nine fifteen in the morning!"
"So?"
Mercedes gave her a patient smile. "How about we make it through these appointments first without being hammered?"
"I didn't say drink til we're red in the face. Just a couple shots."
"Is there something you want to tell me?" She giggled.
"Okay, we'll get a drink after we leave here. I'll need one for the headache I'm going to be sportin."
"Why do you say that?" Mercedes stepped out of the car.
Marcy did the same. "Because I've decided what I want."
"What is it?" They walked to the front door.
"I want it dyed."
"Dyed what color?"
"You'll see. What are you doing?" Marcy held the door open for her sister.
"I'm thinking of having my weave taken out. Mike likes to pull & it gets awful when I have to redo my whole head. I'm sick of him!"
Marcy laughed. "Those Chang boys will snap a curl!"
Mercedes patted her head as they made it to the front counter. "It's annoying!"
"Hello! Welcome to Molly's! What can we do for you today?!" The receptionist was too perky.
Marcy leaned back but as she opened her mouth, Mercedes slapped a hand over it. "We don't have appointments. Is that okay?"
"Yes, it is."
Marcy moved Mercedes's hand. "I want to dye half of my hair & get it straightened after."
"Sure can." The woman smiled & turned to Mercedes. "& what about you?"
"I want my weave out & my hair washed & dried. Maybe I'll dye my hair, too?" Mercedes wasn't used to doing things on a whim.
"Okay. There's only a few people here now so you both can get the empty chairs." The woman came around & led them to two empty chairs. "They'll be right with you."
"Thank you." Mercedes watched as she walked away. She turned to Marcy. "What color are you getting? I might get brown."
"You have brown hair. What's the point in that?!" Marcy rolled her eyes.
"A light brown!"
"Stupid. I'm picking your color."
"You can't just-" Mercedes sighed.
"Oh, I can. & I am." Marcy spun in her chair.
"Spontaneous. You are def. spontaneous."
"Thank you."
Two stylists walked over. "Hi! We're looking at two dye jobs?"
"Yes. I want the lower half of my hair dyed green & since my hair is naturally curly, I'm going to need it restraightened. She's going to have her weave taken out, her hair dyed purple & curled." Marcy said.
"What?!" Mercedes was not on board with this!
"Maybe not all of her hair? Maybe about 60% of it? & a dark purple. Like violet." Marcy went on.
"We can do that." One of the stylists said.
Mercedes gave up. "Let's do it."
M&MC
Mike walked into the house & shut the door behind himself. He went through the house calling out for people. "Hello?! Anybody home?! Hello?!"
He heard tiny footsteps running towards him. He turned & saw Mally & Mickey flying towards him. He bent down & picked them up, switching to Italian. "Hey! How are you?!"
"Hi!" Mickey wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek & grinned.
"Where's Daddy?" Mally demanded.
"He's at school." Mike put them both down but Mickey wouldn't let go. "What's up, sweetie?"
"Will you watch a movie with me? Please?" She asked.
"What kind of movie do you want to see?" He asked kindly.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know."
"How about we check?" He stood up. "Where's Uncle Marc?"
Mally pointed behind him. "In the kitchen. He's making us sandwiches."
"Ooh! Sandwiches! Let's go check if he's done." He took both their hands & walked to the kitchen. "What's up, Marc?"
Marc looked up as he cut peanut butter & jelly sandwiches in half. "Hey? What are you doing here?"
"I thought Mercy would be back by now." He lifted his shoulders.
"She's not. They haven't even dropped a line since nine o'clock this morning." Marc set the food on two plates along with some cut up fruit, veggies & crackers. He set them at the table. "Come on, guys. Your mommy had me make these special."
The twins let go of Mike to sit at the table. Both immediately dug in as Marc went to pour their juice.
"Do you think they're alright?" Mike asked.
"They're out shopping. How bad can it be?" Marc returned to make his own sandwich. "Want one?"
"Sure." Mike shrugged. "I don't feel like making anything."
Marc snorted. "I didn't either. I shouldn't have opened my big mouth & said I'd watch them all day."
"How hard is it to watch them?"
"They both want you to pay 100% attention to them. But they do different things. Like earlier, Mally wanted to play cars but Mickey wanted to dress up her doll. Both threw a fit if I paid the other any attention."
"Well I'm here now. You have help."
"Thanks. They've been trying to play ball in the house."
"But that's been banned since Marcy broke that statue playing baseball." Mike interrupted.
"Exactly. She understood no but he just tried to find ways around it."
"Just like his mother."
"Yes!" Marc exhaled. "I can tell; he is going to be a handful!"
Mike laughed as he took his sandwich. "I seem to remember us being handfuls."
"I was adorable!"
"Adorably rotten." Mike took a bite out of his sandwich.
"I resent that. It's not like I ever drove anyone away." Marc said with a pointed look.
"It's not my fault Laura couldn't handle me!"
"She probably spent her whole first year away checking for you in closets & under her bed." Marc taunted.
"I wonder if that's true."
M&MC
Mercedes was flipping through a magazine as she & Marcy were drying their hair under the loud dryers. Conversation was impossible so she stuck to reading & the occasional text.
She found a light dressing recipe so she texted Marcy about it.
Marcy checked her phone then looked over. She nodded carefully so Mercedes wrote the recipe in her phone. As soon as she was done, her stylist, Tracee walked over.
She turned off the machine. "You are done, sugar."
"Yes! It's super-hot under there." Mercedes stood up & stretched.
Tracee walked back to her chair, Mercedes following. She had the newly purple haired student sit. "How would you like your hair styled?"
"I think I want waves." Mercedes felt her undoing the rollers in her head.
"How big?"
"Medium." Mercedes saw out of the corner of her eye as Marcy sat next to her. "I really like that color on her."
"Me too. What is that seafoam or something?"
"I think it's turquoise." Mercedes thought about the shade seriously.
"Whatever it is, it's nice." Tracee threw rollers on the table. When she was finished, she took a comb & combed through Mercedes's hair, making sure there were no tangles. Then she grabbed a straightener & plugged it in.
While it was heating up, Tracee spritzed something in her hair to make it heat resistant. The tool heated quickly & Tracee sectioned off a piece of hair to be pulled through it. She quickly straightened the hair before moving on to another section.
This went on until she straightened Mercedes's hair. She unplugged the straightener & plugged in a curling iron. Tracee combed through Mercedes's hair again.
"You look nice, Sis." Marcy said.
Mercedes looked over & saw half of Marcy's hair was straight. "How can you see anything?"
"It's hard but I can see you."
Mercedes chuckled as Tracee sectioned off her hair to put through the curler. "You look good too."
"Thanks."
Tracee wound a lock of hair around the barrel of the curling iron. She waited a few seconds before disentangling it & letting the curl drop. She repeated the process until Mercedes had a head full of loose curls. Then she went through with a comb & disturbed them.
She spritzed her hair again before brushing it. "Would you like a trim, sugar?"
Mercedes shook her head. "But I would like side bangs."
Tracee got to work making her a bang. "Would you like to see the new you?"
Mercedes nodded. "Yes."
Tracee turned the chair around & Mercedes could see her new style & color. "What do ya think?"
"I love it!" Mercedes ran her hand through her hair. Her roots were still brown & black but about two inches down them, dark purple invaded. Her hair swung between her shoulder blades & was shiny.
"I'm glad."
"Thank you so much!" Mercedes's hair was still hot so she stopped messing with it but she really loved it. "My boyfriend's going to lose his mind."
"Chang ain't ready for you!" Marcy joked.
Mercedes turned to her. Most of her hair was straight. There was only the top & her bangs to do. "I can't wait for you to get done so you can see you."
"If I look anything like you, I'm gon be awesome!"
"Thank you!"
The stylist working on Marcy's hair smirked. She quickly ran the straightener over Marcy's crown then tackled her bangs. "Want me to cut these, dear? Maybe you'll be able to see?"
"Just to my eyebrows." Marcy told her.
The woman brought out her scissors & cut straight across Marcy's blunt (but long) bangs. "Ready to see you?"
"Sure." Marcy had gotten her bangs colored all the way green.
The stylist turned her chair. "Tada! How do you like it?!"
"It's what I asked for." Marcy's face was blank.
The woman was taken aback. "Oh."
"So where do we pay?" Marcy stood up.
"Front." Her stylist pouted.
"Thank you for your hard work." Marcy nodded to her before picking up her purse & walking to the front.
Mercedes smiled meekly before grabbing her purse & following.
The perky receptionist totaled up their bill & they paid. Then they walked outside & to the car.
"Why couldn't you say how you feel?" Mercedes demanded as they climbed in the car.
"Why would I do that?" Marcy plugged in her phone.
"It's what she was waiting for."
"She's going to continue waiting." Marcy obviously didn't care.
Mercedes took a deep breath as Marcy pulled out of the parking lot & into traffic. "Why couldn't you be nice?"
"I said thank you! My job is done."
"Marce-"
"Where are we going?"
Mercedes sighed. "Kimball's."
"Thanks." Marcy drove in that direction.
"Are you taking me by the school? Later I mean."
"No. I thought Mike was coming to get you?"
"He's supposed to but if we're goin to be out all day-"
"No, we're not. I'm going to one more store then going to get your dog & some lunch & I'm going to the house." Marcy made a left turn into a parking structure.
"We should get lunch first. I'm starving." Mercedes got out of the car once Marcy stopped.
"We're already here." Marcy looked at her phone. "It's one thirty. Let's say we have thirty minutes to be in here."
"I can't shop in thirty minutes!"
Marcy left her standing there.
"Wait!" Mercedes ran after her. "I can try."
"I want to find more shorts." Marcy said. "I want to find some green ones to match my hair."
"It looks lovely by the way." Mercedes ran her hand through the dual colored locks.
"Thanks. You look amazing."
"Thank you!" They walked into the store.
Marcy walked around until she found jean shorts. She found her size & pulled every color from the rainbow. "These are on sale."
"Really?" Mercedes came over. She saw that the shorts were on sale five for fifty dollars. She liked shorts. She might as well grab a few pairs. "Do they have purple?"
"Two shades." Marcy picked up both.
So did Mercedes. "I want the purple, a red, a yellow & a black."
"I love black jeans." Marcy grabbed two pairs of black. "I'm going to make these people's day. They shouldn't have put these out. It's on!"
"I'm just glad you're having a pleasant experience." Mercedes chuckled.
"I found what I wanted. I can go now." Marcy had a stack in her hands.
"Let's try to find some other stuff. You never know." Mercedes went to walk around. She spotted a real deal. "Hey! They have camisoles, five for twenty five!"
Marcy wandered over. "Get me a white, black, brown, green & blue. Just throw them on top."
"I wish they had baskets here. You need help."
Marcy shrugged. "I can set the pile on the counter & come back to shop."
"Good idea." Mercedes put the last camisole on top. Then she grabbed five for herself. She had black, white, purple, red & yellow.
Marcy struggled to walk to the counter & left the pile there. A cashier smiled at her. "Oh, I'm not ready to check out yet. I just can't carry it all."
"That's fine." The woman held up a hand.
Marcy returned to her sister. "You want to try on some stuff?"
"I saw something I think you'll like. I had an idea." Mercedes steered Marcy in the right direction. "We should go to Madison's."
"Why?" Marcy stood in front of skirts. She picked one off the rack in front of her & held it to her waist.
"If you haven't had money for clothes, I doubt you have had the money for quality underwear."
Marcy shrugged. "Whatever." She held the skirt in front of Mercedes. "What do you think?"
"It's black." Mercedes touched the hem. "& satiny."
"I'll take it." Marcy began pulling down A-line & skater skirts.
"You're getting all those?" She wouldn't say how happy she was to see that.
"I like the patterns." Marcy lifted a shoulder.
"I do, too." Mercedes found a purple plaid skirt & a grey leopard skirt. She found her size & held the racks in her hands. "What else do we need?"
"I saw a sleeveless jean jacket."
"What color?"
"White, blue & black."
"Let's go. I'll buy black. Then we'll try on some of these to make sure they fit."
They went to the wall where the jackets were hanging & grabbed some then went to the dressing rooms.
"I- I- I wanna go, go
All the way-ay-ay
To take all my free tonight"
"Oh snap!" Marcy laughed as the song came over the speakers.
Mercedes laughed, too. "Montage time?"
"Montage time!" Marcy exited her room.
Mercedes left & laughed when she saw the pose her sister was doing. "Messy!"
Marcy did a different pose. "I'm Rita Haywood!"
Mercedes laughed her way back inside & changed into the plaid. When she came out, she twirled.
"Put on your purple camisole & the black jacket." Marcy had changed, too.
"Yes! Then I'll take a picture with my purple hair!" Mercedes hopped back in to change. She liked all the purple & took the picture but didn't post it. She'd wait until her friends saw her later.
"Let me see!" Marcy demanded.
Mercedes left the room then laughed. "Where'd you get the hat from?!"
"Mannequin." Marcy had a hat tilted on her head.
Mercedes took it off. "I can't see your face."
"That's okay." Marcy took it back to the mannequin. "Do you wanna get this stuff & leave?"
"Yeah. Our half hour's almost up & we still have to hit Madison's."
"Okay." They both went back into their dressing rooms & changed. They came from the rooms in their street clothes & went to the registers.
Marcy gathered up her shorts & camisoles, too. "I'm ready to check out now."
The cashier smiled. "Okay. Did you find everything okay?"
"Yep." Marcy got out her bank card & brought out her phone to answer a text.
"Ooh! I love these shorts! The design on the back pockets are to die for!"
Marcy hadn't even seen them. "Oh cool."
The woman rang up all the jeans then the camisoles. "Did you know these were on sale?"
"Yes." Marcy put her phone away.
"I see you have our new skater skirts." The cashier held up a blue skirt. "I'm wearing one right now."
Marcy blinked. "Well I can't really see you…"
"Oh!"
Mercedes, who was done, walked over. "Are you almost done?"
"She has the skirts & jackets to do then yeah." Marcy leaned against the counter. "What are we looking for at Madison's?"
"Just enough stuff for a week."
"I'm über tired. When I get back, I'm taking a nap!"
"I thought you were hungry?"
"That was you."
"I am. I'm really hungry."
"Want to go to Sally's?"
"Sure. I haven't been in a week."
Marcy chuckled. "That sounds about right."
"I was thinking about getting something other than a salad."
"Like soup?"
"Like meat."
"Who are you? Daddy?"
Mercedes laughed. "I like meat, too!"
"So do I. I want a steak."
"For lunch?!"
"Yes. I want a steak for lunch."
"I don't believe you."
"Well I do. Okay, no, I don't. I want steak for dinner. I want chicken for lunch."
Mercedes threw her head back & laughed as the cashier held her hand out. "Cash, check or credit?"
"Debit." Marcy ran her card through the machine then punched in her number. She pressed okay.
The cashier ripped the receipt off & gave it to her then pushed the bags toward. "Have a good day!"
"Thanks. You too." Marcy put the card back in her wallet along with her receipt then picked up the bags by the handles.
Mercedes walked by her side as they left. "I think we should get Ozzie after we grab lunch. It's hot out & I don't want him to be in a hot car."
"It's not that hot but I understand. People who leave their dogs in hot cars need to be beaten."
They walked out to the parking lot as Mercedes smiled. "I agree."
"Where is Madison's anyway?"
"You know where Madison's is."
"No, I don't. I haven't been in a while."
"Oh. Well I'll give you directions."
"I know. There's no other way we would get there." Marcy unlocked Travis & they put the bags in the backseat. They climbed in the front & Mercedes gave Marcy step by step directions to the store. "I still don't know what we're looking for."
"You need bras, panties, the whole deal."
"This is going to take longer than thirty minutes, isn't it?"
M&MC
In the end, it took exactly thirty minutes & Marcy was able to get matching bra & panties (boy-shorts because that's what she wore), a couple corsets, a few teddys & stockings.
Marcy drove to Sally's feeling run down & tired. She hated shopping with a passion. She parked the car in the parking lot & got out.
Mercedes followed suit & they went inside, sitting at the counter. "Have you decided what you're getting?"
"Yes. I've been thinking about this salad all day."
"Hello, welcome to Sally's. What may I get you?" A waitress came up to them.
"I would like your crispy chicken salad with diced eggs & bacon & a large order of fries." Marcy said without looking at the menu. "I'd like a large raspberry iced tea & this to go."
"What about you, miss?" The waitress wrote it down.
Mercedes looked over the menu but she knew what she actually wanted. "I'll have a Greek salad with grilled chicken & tator tots. I'll take a strawberry tea. This is to go."
"Okay. I'll be right back with your teas." The waitress walked away.
Marcy leaned on the counter & yawned.
"You're really tired." Mercedes smiled. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I hope we have enough time for you to eat before you have to go." She lifted her shoulders.
"It's almost two. I hope so, too. I might not go if I don't. I'm hungry! I can't be teaching on an empty stomach!"
Marcy laughed. "When are they leaving for Nationals?"
"Wednesday. They'll be back by the weekend."
"What are they performing?"
"I have no idea what the set list is."
"Do you think they have a real shot at winning?"
"I don't know. I would never tell them but they're going up against robots. Marley has a pretty strong voice-"
"The blue eyed doe?"
"What?!" Mercedes looked at her askance.
"The one who looks like a blue eyed female Bambi."
Mercedes laughed- hard. "I can't believe you said that!"
"If I see her again, that's what I'm calling her to her face."
Mercedes couldn't stop laughing. "You are so sick!"
Marcy just shrugged.
Mercedes got herself under control. "Anyway, she has a strong voice. So does Blaine-"
"The dude with the bowtie & no socks?"
Mercedes fell into giggles. "You sound like Puck! He does wear socks!"
"I didn't see no damn socks."
Mercedes was gasping for air by the time the waitress returned with their drinks. "I promise you he wears socks!"
"Fine. I only know about three peoples' names anyway. Him, her & that Unique girl."
"What about Ryder & Jake? You were sitting next to them."
"Which one is which? The one who couldn't stop staring or the adorable flirt?"
"Ryder was just struck by your beauty."
"That's bull." Marcy rolled her eyes at that. "So Jake's the Casanova? He was workin for it."
Mercedes giggled. "He's like his brother. He likes girls."
"Who's his brother?"
"Puck."
"Why didn't he come this weekend then?"
"They have different moms."
"Dad's a scumbag, huh?"
"You have no idea. I'd tell you but that's Puck's story to tell."
"Do you think we'll get close?"
"Probably. You have a lot in common."
"Cool."
"Here you go, ladies." The waitress returned with two salad bowls & two Styrofoam containers. "Is that all?"
"Yes." Marcy pulled out her debit card.
"Is this separate or together?"
"Separate." Mercedes decided to use her credit card.
The woman took both cards & disappeared to make the transaction. She returned a moment later to give them back with receipts to sign. "Have a nice day!"
Mercedes & Marcy waved as they left. "You too!" They went to the parking lot & got in Travis. Marcy drove to Alan's house to pick up Ozzie then returned to their parents' house.
They got out & struggled to get all their bags so they decided to go in trips. They'd take as much as they could with Ozzie & go in. So that's what they did.
Mercedes opened the door & they went in. "Hello?! Is anyone home?!"
She & Marcy heard heels on the hardwood floor. A young lady sashayed in. Marcy's mouth fell open. "Rou?!"
"Marce!" The girls' cousin, Karou Seon threw her arms open wide.
Marcy rushed to hug her. "I missed you, dude!"
"I missed you, too!"
"What are you doing here?!" Mercedes got her hug in.
"Aunt Rose said there was a welcome back party & I would never miss that!" Karou surveyed their hands. "You went shopping, CC?"
"She dragged me." Marcy threw the blame.
"I would say you had fun but you didn't." Mercedes sighed.
"So… I met your babies. They're so cute!" Karou gushed.
"Are they down for their nap?" Marcy asked.
"Yes, they are." Marc said as he walked into view. "Need help?"
"Yes, please. Take these to my room. I've got more." Marcy held the paper bags out.
"I heard someone needed help." Mike stuck his head out of the den.
"Can you take these to my room please?" Mercedes stuck her bottom lip out cutely.
"Yes, I can." He took the bags from her.
"Is this your dog?" Karou asked of Mercedes.
"Yep. His name's Ozzie." Mercedes let him off his leash & he ran to inspect this new person.
"Hi, Ozzie! Who's a good boy?!"
Ozzie went nuts from the attention & did laps around her legs.
"We have to get the rest of our stuff." Marcy said as she looked at Karou. "Come help us."
"Alright." The trio went outside & gathered the rest of the bags. The sisters took them to their rooms & came back with their food. "You know I'm not the only one here."
"Who else is here?" Mercedes asked as they settled in the kitchen to eat.
"At this house is me, India & Joey. We got here at roughly the same time."
"They're here?! Where?!"
"Joey's in the den. We were watching a movie. India took a nap with the kids."
"He needs to get in here!" She stood up.
"Talking about me, Cuz?" Joey was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
Mercedes squealed & ran to him. She threw her arms around his neck. "Joey!"
"MercyCat!" He grinned as he picked her up.
"You haven't called me in weeks." She pouted as he put her down.
"You haven't called me either!" He laughed.
"I've been busy. You have no idea. It's been crazy!"
"I've been busy, too."
Marcy grew bored & hip-checked her sister out of the way. "Where's my hug, blondie?"
"Me?! You're blonde!" Joey ran his hand through her hair. "&-"
"You're not blonde!" Karou ran over & took off her hat. "I'm blonde!"
"No way!" Marcy gripped her hair. "Is that iron grey?!"
Karou reached out for her hair. "& yours is green!"
"I did it today."
"I did mine Saturday."
"So cool!" Marcy couldn't get over it. "We need to stop doing the same things."
"Hey! I've been blonde for over a year!"
"So have I!"
Karou laughed. "Twin!"
"Twin!" They hugged.
"I thought you wanted a hug from me!" Joey waved his hands.
Marcy let Karou go to hug Joey. "I do."
"I can't believe you have children, Cuz! You're a mum!"
"I know! Weird, right?!"
"I've never pictured you as the "wipe a snotty nose" type."
"Well it's totally gross. But I happen to adore everything around the snotty noses so…"
"& by Mally Mal! I'm not surprised by that."
"You don't know! It could've been someone else!"
"But it wasn't." Mike pointed out.
"Ugh! Give me a minute!"
"So you're trying to get pregnant by this Pierre guy?"
"You've talked to Jr.…?" She sighed. "Of course I'm not trying to get pregnant."
"You're dating a French dude?!" Joey laughed. "You hate the French!"
"I do not!"
"Yes, you do." Karou said.
"No, I don't." Marcy denied.
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do!" Karou put her hands on her hips.
"Okay, yes, I do!" Marcy groaned. "Don't ever tell him!"
"Pierre seems like a nice guy." Mercedes tried to help her out.
"I can't believe you don't want your baby with her." Marc joked.
"I do but they have to make their journey to each other on their own without anyone making them feel bad about their decisions."
"That's very mature." Mike put his arms around her.
"Thank you."
"Too bad Mal doesn't feel that way."
"What?!"
"When we were walking home this morning, he swore up & down he would win her back."
"Goodness!" Marcy rolled her eyes as she went back to the table to eat.
"Do you think he could do it?" Mike walked Mercedes back to the table.
"No!" Marcy opened her fries & dumped them into her salad then opened her dressing packets.
"He does." Mike stole a tator tot from Mercedes.
"He's delusional."
"I think he can." Karou sat at the table.
"I bet money he can." Joey did, too.
"I don't know." Marc grabbed a drink before sitting down. "She can hold a grudge."
"I do not hold grudges!" Marcy snapped.
"You cut people out of your life with the quickness."
"That's not a grudge & I haven't cut him out. I'm just mad at him."
"What'd he do?" Joey wanted to know.
Marcy sighed deeply before telling the whole story.
"Man!" Karou exclaimed. "I'd be pissed, too. He just yelled at you? How drunk was he?"
"He says very."
"Every time I hear this story, I feel like someone should have been there to warn him." Marc shook his head.
"I think he should just be glad she didn't deal out an arsewhipping." Joey laughed.
"That was the slap heard around the world." Mike grimaced.
Joey held his stomach as he laughed. "Was it hard?"
"She slapped him a shade lighter." Marc snickered.
Mike's lips twitched. "There's still a print on the side of his face from her hand."
"It is not." Marcy sipped her tea.
"I can't wait. When will he be home?" Karou demanded.
"After rugby practice." Mike stole a fry.
"I'm hungry. Can I have some of your salad?" Karou snuck a fry.
Marcy glared at them both. "You know I don't share salad."
"Come on. Please?" Karou put her head on her shoulder.
"Nope. Make a sandwich or something."
"I don't want to cook." Karou whined.
"You're just alike." Joey shook his head as he stood up & went to the fridge. "I'll make you something."
"Thank you!"
There was running & they all turned to the entrance to the kitchen to see the twins running in with India on their heels.
"Mommy!"
"Hey, guys." Marcy switched to Italian. "How did you sleep?"
"Good." Mickey crawled into her lap. "Tio Mike watched a movie with us."
"What'd you watch?"
"The movie with the man & the lady that looks like you." Mally said.
"What lady looks like me?"
"The one Tia Mercy said was you. She said you were twins."
Marcy had a perplexed look on her face until it dawned on her. She hit Mercedes's arm. "I do not look like Esmeralda!"
"Yes, you do! Or at least you did when you had black hair. You have the same green eyes, the same long hair, the same dancing skills, the same sass. You're the same person!" Mercedes affirmed.
"Don't teach my kids nothing else."
"They should know their mother's famous."
"Shut up, Belle!"
"I take that as a compliment." Mercedes fluffed her hair.
Mike squinted at her. "Your hair's different."
India facepalmed. "I've been in here two minutes & I know they have dyed hair."
"Hi, Indy!" Mercedes got up to hug her.
"Mercy!" India hugged her tightly.
"I missed you."
"I've missed you, too." India rocked with her.
"So you took a nap?" Marcy teased.
"Jet lag!" India laughed as she let Mercedes go to hug Marcy. "& you have children!"
"People are not going to let this go." Marcy guessed.
"Of course not! Little Marcy has babies." India squeezed her.
"They're not so much babies anymore."
"They're incredibly adorable."
"I know." Marcy grinned.
"& you said Momma has the ego." Marc muttered.
"I heard that! & I was talkin about you!"
"I seem to remember you talking about her."
"No, it was you."
"Darn!" He snapped his fingers.
Mike checked his watch. "Hey, we gotta go."
Mercedes pouted. "But I'm not done eating."
"You only have a little bit left. Eat really fast."
"Mike!"
"Or I could help you."
"You've wanted to eat my food since we sat down." She gave him a look.
He grinned.
"Here." She shoved the bowl over.
He took her fork & shoveled food into his mouth. "This is pretty good. For gross tasteless rabbit food."
The guys cracked up as the girls scowled.
Joey came back with a plate & set it in front of Karou. "Here you go."
"Thanks, Joey." Karou danced in her seat.
Mike finished Mercedes's food. "Okay, let's go."
"Fine. I guess we should go while family members are showing up." The doorbell rang as soon as she finished speaking.
"I wonder who it could be." Marc joked.
"Door." Mally squeaked as he picked a cucumber from his mother's salad.
Marcy set the twins in her chair & went to go see.
"We really should go though." Mike reminded his girlfriend. He kissed her cheek.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What was that?!" Karou shouted.
"Are you two dating?" India grew suspicious.
"Yes!" Mercedes laughed at their faces.
"That's so gross! That's your sister, man!" Karou ran her hands down her face.
Mike rolled his eyes. "Get over it."
"Ew!"
Joey & Marc burst out laughing.
"Calm down, Karou." India smirked.
"I can't! You guys are gross." She wrinkled her nose.
"You're okay with Marcy & Mal being together!" Mercedes didn't see the difference.
"They've been together since we were two!"
"We've been together for a while."
"How long?"
"Since Valentine's Day."
"Aww!" India melted.
"That is adorable." Karou admitted sullenly.
"Guys." Marcy walked in with two people. "Grandfather & Grandma are here."
"Grandma!" Mercedes went to her namesake & hugged her.
"Your hair!" Victoria touched it. "It looks just like mine at your age!"
"It does?!" Mercedes liked that.
"Yes. I love it."
"Grandma! Mercy & Mike are together! Like dating!" Karou told on them.
Victoria's eyebrows rose. "Really? Why didn't you tell us at Christmas?"
"Because we got together on Valentine's Day." Mike gave his grandfather a manly hug.
"That's really romantic! Where was your first date?"
"We went salsa dancing & to a diner for breakfast." Mercedes danced a little. "It was so much fun!"
"Oh, I'm so happy for you."
Marc laughed at Karou's face. "I think you're the only one having problems with them."
Karou sat back with a pout. "Whatever."
Two more people walked in. "Hello all."
"Grandpa!" Karou jumped up to hug the man.
"Grandmother." Mercedes gave the stem woman a hug.
Xhi-Xhi hugged Mercedes lightly. "Mercedes Catherine. How have you been? You haven't called in weeks."
"I've just been busy, Grandmother. I've been well. Have you heard? Mike & I are dating."
"It isn't a surprise."
Karou slumped on the table. "Fine!"
"I hate to say hi & run but we have to go. We're already late." Mike said.
"Late for what?" Marcus Sr. asked him.
"Glee practice. We coach our old glee club members for their Nationals coming up in a few days' time."
"Do you get paid for this?" Po asked.
"No."
"A waste of time."
"Grandfather!" Mercedes chided. "Not everything should be done in the pursuit of money!"
"Lies & blasphemy!" Marcy yelled. "If I don't get something out of it that's money or as good as money, it's not worth doing!"
Po's lips twitched. "She's right."
"I can't talk to you two." Mercedes sighed.
"Aren't you supposed to be gone? Why are you still here?" Marcy went to her children.
"What are those?" Po pointed.
"Oh we can't miss this!" Mike sat down.
Mercedes slapped his shoulder. "Stop it!"
"These are my children. Mikaela & Malcolm Jr." Marcy sighed, already tired of this.
"Children?" Victoria gasped.
"Malcolm Jr.?" Po hung on that.
"Yes, Malcolm Jr." Marcy stated clearly. "I should just tell Jessie the whole story & have her repeat it."
"If you're tired of talking about it, you should." Karou snaked Marcy's tea.
"She'll probably tell everyone under a rock." Joey muttered.
"Only if I say-"
"Don't tell anyone." They all chimed in with Marcy.
"Yup." She finished.
"So what is the story?" Marcus Sr. asked in broken English.
Marcy sighed. "I gave birth at the convent. Didn't know I was pregnant until then. Lots of middle later, I'm living in Milan with my babies."
"Are you okay?" Victoria asked. "How is it? Are you living well? Is it a good neighborhood? Are you safe?"
"Grandma! Grandma! One at a time!" Marcy was dizzy.
Victoria took a breath. "Are you safe?"
"Yes. I am very safe. I live in the metro district."
"Are you struggling to pay bills?"
"I had a job."
"Had?"
"Marce was a dancer." Mercedes bragged. "The season's over so that's why she's out of a job."
"You think dancing is a good enough paycheck for raising children?" Xhi-Xhi raised a brow. "It's too undependable."
"I didn't know what else to do. I didn't have much money & I needed a job quick."
"You couldn't wait tables like other single mothers?"
"I'm clumsy! I can't wait tables!"
Karou laughed. "That's true!"
Marcy elbowed her.
"Why didn't you come to Christmas? Didn't you think your family would help you after you were kicked out of the convent?" Victoria demanded.
"I was disowned." Marcy grew angry just saying it & it was noticeable.
"Disowned?" Marcus Sr. was confused by the word.
"I don't know the word in German. Grandma?"
Victoria sighed before telling him what it was. He gasped. "No grandchild of mine will be disowned!"
"Who on Earth disowned you?" Po wanted to know.
"It was Momma." Mercedes said sadly. "Marcy did something to get kicked out & Momma thought that disowning her would make things better."
"How?!" Xhi-Xhi demanded.
"Giving birth didn't get her kicked out?" Victoria crossed her arms. "What did?"
"Sleeping with the entire convent." Marcy said with major attitude.
"What?!" India, Joey & Karou had wide eyes & open mouths.
"& three visiting priests."
"Oh dear heavens!" Victoria held her pearl necklace in her fist.
Marcus Sr. cleared his throat. "What is it that your mother thought would get better with disowning you?"
"She's mentally ill." Mercedes told. "We all are it seems."
"& that woman disowned you for that?!" Victoria got over her moral shock & went into offended outrage.
"We didn't know it was okay. She made us scared to tell her we were having problems. We waited until we were eighteen to get help. But Momma found out about her when she was seven & that's why Marcy had to go away. Not because of behavioral issues."
"Utter rubbish." Po rolled his eyes. "Who ever heard of punishing someone for an illness?"
"I can't believe Aunt Rose hurt you like that." India was in shock.
"I'm really telling Jessie the whole story. I don't want to hear it come out of my mouth ever again." Marcy stood up & took her empty containers to the garbage.
"Why are you even here? I don't think I would ever be around her if I were you." Joey asked.
"I'm here because I'm still under age. I'm forced to be here. But on my birthday, I'm going home."
"Still?" Marc had an upset expression on his face. "I thought you'd want to stay longer."
"Why would I do that?"
"Haven't we been having fun this week?" Mercedes asked.
"We've been packing this week."
"& that's not fun?"
"No."
Mercedes pouted.
Mike looked between them before focusing on Marcy. "You'll see. We will make it so much fun that you won't want to leave before the festival."
"I need a drink." Her blank face remained as she opened the fridge for a bottle of wine.
"Alcohol is never the answer, Marceline Anne." Xhi-Xhi scolded.
"Of course not." Marcy put the wine back & went to grab a bottle of whiskey. "It's the question."
Po rubbed his temples. "Where is your mother now?"
"Work." Marc answered.
Victoria finally took off her light jacket. "I cannot wait to tell her about herself."
"Don't get indignant on my account." Marcy rolled her eyes. She turned to her children. "Let's go watch another movie."
"Yay!" The twins ran from the room.
"Aren't you going to use a glass?" Joey asked.
"Nope." Marcy walked out.
Karou stood up. "I'm going to go make sure she doesn't drink it all."
"Thanks." Mercedes touched her hand on her way out.
"We should really go. We're late." Mike touched her back.
"Okay. We'll see you guys in an hour." Mercedes hugged Victoria before taking Mike's hand & her purse to leave.
The two exited her home & drove to Quinn's. Mike honked the horn. "Are you alright?"
"I don't know. I don't think Momma is going to have a nice visit."
"Yeah, Grandma seems pretty steamed."
"Not that I can blame her."
"This is a tough time for us. We'll get through it." He took her hand as Quinn came from the house.
"I'm glad you're here for me." She kissed his hand.
Quinn opened the passenger door. "Scoot over. I don't want to be in the back by myself."
Mercedes undid the seatbelt & scooted to the middle. "What took you so long?"
"Me?! You guys are the ones late! What took you so long?!"
"Family."
"We have family over, too. Aunt Daisy wouldn't let me leave." She shut the door & buckled up.
"Grandfather, Grandmother, Grandpa & Grandma showed up & wanted to know about the kids. Let's just say; Marcy ended up mad & Momma won't be coming home to a warm welcome."
Quinn grimaced as Mike pulled off. "Ouch! Oh! Puck got a ride with Finn so you don't have to get him."
Mike inclined his head & drove to the school. "Is he still coming over? Now that they're here?"
"I don't know." Quinn chewed on her bottom lip. "This is family business."
"He's family." Mercedes argued.
"It's not like we're married."
"But you will be. I want him for a brother."
"I'll see what I can do." Quinn was making no promises.
"You guys are so cute together."
"Not as cute as you guys."
"I know. We're so cute, it's sickening."
Quinn laughed as Mike took his eyes off the road to see if she had really said that. "Who else is at your house?"
"India, Joey & Karou." Mercedes kissed his cheek.
"You're trying to kill us is what you're doing." Mike complained.
Quinn laughed again. "You're a great driver. You'll save us."
"Not when it comes to girls. Why do you think women weren't allowed on ships? Distractions!"
"Well sorry!" Mercedes snapped.
"Good distraction. Deadly distraction. Pretty distraction."
"Anyway! They know everything. Grandma's really upset."
"I understand." Quinn said. "I wouldn't understand Momma Rose's actions if I were her either. It's confusing."
"It is confusing!" Mercedes agreed. "How are we supposed to act now?!"
"I think this is about you & Marc." Mike suspected. "You've spent all this time afraid to tell her what was wrong for fear of what happened to Moppet happening to you then you found out you were right to be afraid."
"& on top of that, you know she won't love you no matter what." Quinn tacked on.
Mercedes sighed. "It's also that she did it to Marcy. I know it's wrong to be mad at someone for doing something to someone else but I am. How could she do that?"
"Honestly? I think she needs help herself." Quinn put in.
"I think you're right."