Healing Process, It's a Dom fic.

[Nobody The Calico]

(Perfect Life)

Billy gives me a ride home from Dom’s. I get changed, eat and catch a ride with Laura to work. It’s a slow day, and there isn’t really a lot to do. I sit at a booth, my feet dangle over the edge.
“So, Marilyn, Laura told me you stayed the night at Dom’s,” Adam says, sipping his coke and looking at me with a smirk.
“Yep,” I answer, chewing the bubble gum Laura gave me.
“So… what happened?’ he asks.
“We watched TV,” I answer.
“And?” he watches me, waiting for me to tell him something juicy.
“And ate dinner,” I answer.
Laura sits down with a plate of fries, “What’s up?”
“I’m trying to get the scoop on her and her boyfriend,” Adam answers.
“She won’t tell you anything,” Laura says shaking her head.
Adam frowns, “How do you know?”
“Why should she?” she asks.
I watch as Laura glares at Adam until he asks her to get up. Adam leaves us alone frowning and grumbling about girls being stupid and being glad he was gay.
“Thanks,” I say as soon as he’s gone.
“No problem, you’d do the same for me,” she shrugs, stuffing fries into her mouth.
I smile and blow a large pink bubble. The door jingles open and I jump up, sucking the bubble back into my mouth. I rush to the front and greet Misty and another woman.
“Welcome to the Spot, Smoking or Nonsmoking?” I ask pulling two menus up.
“Wow, she is pretty,” the woman with Misty says.
“Marilyn this is Veronica,” Misty says, slowly, her voice low.
“Hello, Marilyn. Your sister has told me a lot about you,” the dark hired woman named Veronica says smiling and shaking my hand.
“Well, that’s nice,” I say smiling, “So, smoking or nonsmoking?”
“Actually, Marilyn, I’m here to talk to you,” Veronica says.
I shoot Misty a questioning glance before replying, “Well, I’m a little busy. Couldn’t this wait?”
“No, Marilyn, it can’t,” Veronica says.
I stare at her blankly, wondering what the hell this lady wants with me. What is so important she has to come in the middle of my work shift?
“Do you know a Michael Lane?” she asks.
I look at Misty and see a guilty look plastered on her face, her blue eyes plead for forgiveness. Veronica knows about Mike. She is here to talk about Mike.
“I am going to ask you just once, alright? Now, please leave this resturaunt if you are not here to eat,” I say slowly, clenching my teeth.
Veronica frowns, “Marilyn, I really want to speak with you about him.”
“I really do not care. I am working,” I snap.
Veronica looks offended. Good. What the hell gives her the right to ask to talk about Mike? She doesn’t know me. She doesn’t know him. She doesn’t even know-
Misty.
Misty told her all about it. Damn it. Why does Misty have to pull the big sister thing now, when everything is so perfect?
“I’ll see you at home Misty,” I say, ice in every word.
“Marilyn, this won’t go away if you don’t talk to me,” Veronica says.
“Look, my life is perfect right now. I don’t need you to try and fix it. I’ve already fixed it myself,” I snap.
“Oh? What are you going to do if Mr. Lane comes after you?” she asks.
“He won’t,” I say, even though the thought hadn’t occurred to me.
What would I do? I mean, everything is so perfect right now. If he came and found me what would happen?
Everything would shatter, that’s what. My perfect life would become a piece of shattered china, lying in ruins a crossed the dirty ground of reality.
“Are you sure? In most cases the abuser comes after the person that escapes them,” she says.
“Well, this isn’t one of your precious cases, now is it?” I snap, “Good bye.”
“Marilyn, you’re making a mistake,” she says.
“Good! Just get away from me and leave me the hell alone!” I cry, hoping no one will hear me.
She glares at me, her dark eyes full of sympathy and anger. Then after I stare her down with my angry green eyes, she turns on her heal and leaves. Misty glances at me, her blue eyes full of apology, and follows.
I shake my head as they leave and then lean against the wall, feeling slightly drained. My mind is suddenly churning up new worries. What if he does come back. What if he does try and hurt me again. Would he? Or is he scared I’ll tell the police?
“You alright?” Laura’s at my side now.
I look up at her slowly. Her normal dancing eyes are worried.
“Nothing, just my sister and her friend,” I say with a shrug.
“Are you sure? There’s nothing you want to talk about?” she asks, her eyes searching for a hint, “I’m here for you if you need to talk, Marilyn.”
I nod and smile, “Thanks, Laura.”
She smiles, and then looks at the door, “Today is unbelievably slow.”
“Tell me about it,” I say with a sigh.
She smiles and starts telling me about how slow it is. I laugh and we return to our booth. We spend only fifteen minutes there before business picks up and we have to start working. We spend the rest of our shifts working. My mind ponders the reason behind Misty bringing that woman here.
I can understand Misty being afraid Mike might come after me, but to bring her here? Couldn’t it have waited till I’d gotten home? Couldn’t it have waited until we had privacy?
I shake my head as Laura drops me off in front of Misty’s and reach for the door handle.
“Hey, when the guys get back there’s this party I want to go to,” she says.
“Huh?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“When they get back from their interviews and stuff,” she explains, “There’s this costume party some friends of mine from college are throwing. I think it would be fun to go.”
“Oh,” I say nodding.
“Plus it’s a great excuse to dress up as someone else for the night,” she adds with a shy grin.
I laugh, “Yeah, I know what you mean. That’d be fun Laura. I’ll ask Dom if he wants to go.”
“Cool, and do you think Billy is jealous of Dom and Elijah?” she asks.
“Why do you say that?” I ask tilting my head to one side.
“Well, it’s not that he says anything or does anything. But it’s just the way… the way he sits when we’re all together. I mean I don’t know him to well. I just started dating Elijah, and I hardly know the habits of movie stars, but… I’m just getting this vibe,” she says, babbling.
“Laura?” I ask.
“Yeah?” she stops talking and focuses on me for a minute.
“I think you need to go home and get some sleep. We’ll drag Billy to the costume party with us,” I say with a sigh.
“Okay, good idea. Bye!” She says cheerfully as I get out of her car.
I watch her drive off and walk up the sidewalk quickly. I note that none of the lights in the house are on before I unlock the door and walk inside. Misty must have taken Abby out for dinner or something.
I turn on the kitchen light as I open the refrigerator and stare into it. It’s full of food. Leftovers, vegetables, milk, all the making of sandwiches, stuff for a dinner that has yet to be made. None of it sounds appetizing. I close the fridge and open the freezer, pulling out a container of strawberry ice cream.
I retrieve a spoon from the drawer and take the ice cream up stairs to my room. I drop my bag on the floor next to the door and kick my shoes off. I flop down onto the bed and pen the ice cream. The strawberry coldness melts in my mouth pleasantly as I lay on my bed.
The phone rings and I sigh not wanting to answer it. It rings again and I plead with it to stop. Another ring and I sigh reaching for the stupid phone.
“Hello?” I ask.
“What’s you’re favorite type of movie?” comes a husky voice.
I can hear people laughing in the back ground. Great, crank callers.
“Porno, you?” I ask pleasantly.
“Who is this?” the voice asks, no longer husky.
“Hi Billy,” I answer with a smile.
“Good lord, Marilyn, you’re not serious are you?” he asks.
I laugh, “No, Billy. I just wanted to see what would happen if I said that. What are you doing calling me anyways. I thought you were at some dinner thing.”
“We are, but the lady left to go to the bathroom and we’re bored,” he says.
“You poor things, I say mockingly as I scoop up more ice cream.
“What are you eating?” he asks.
“Ice cream,” I answer through a mouthful.
“Pig,” he teases.
“Freak,” I tease right back.
“Would you two stop that?” I hear Elijah pleading.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Dom and Sean are… They keep telling the interview lady very, very false information about Elijah,” he says with a laugh.
“Is that Marilyn?” Dom asks suddenly.
“No,” Billy lies.
“Then who is it?” he asks.
“The cookie monster,” Billy answers.
I laugh as I listen to the argue about who’s on the phone. Finally Dom gets the phone from Billy.
“Hello?” he asks.
“Hi Dom,” I answer cheerily.
“I knew it was her,” Dom gloats as Billy says something I can’t hear.
“Should you be calling me?” I ask.
“I didn’t call you Billy did. Not really sure why he did, but he did” he says.
“Yes, I figured that much out. But your in the middle of an interview thing,” I say.
He laughs, “Well the lady is coming back so I’ll talk to you later.”
“Alright. Bye,” I say wondering if there’s any whipped cream down stairs.
“You’re still coming over tomorrow morning, right?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’ll see you then, okay?” I ask.
“Alright. Bye. Love you,” he says hanging up.
I definitely do not need the help of Misty’s friend. I have a very perfect life. A boyfriend that loves me to replace Mike. Friends that care about me. And a safe place to live.
Perfect.

(Saying Goodbye)


The airport is crowded full of people looking for their flights and people getting off their flights. Dom, Elijah and Billy are trying to blend in with the crowds, and it’s working pretty well. Billy leads the way, searching for the gate. Elijah follows Billy, looking around in confusion, I think they’re lost. Dom squeezes my hand as we follow them. I look up at him and smile.
We’d spent pretty much the entire morning in the bedroom. That was where we had been when Billy and Elijah called complaining about the flight times. We’d forced ourselves to get out of bed and dress. Now we’re searching for a gate that doesn’t seem to exist.
“I found it!” Billy finally cries.
“Finally!” Elijah says.
Dom and I follow the two as we go to the waiting area. They go to talk to the lady at the desk. Dom pulls me into a corner and wraps his arms around my waist.
“Come with me,” he pleads softly.
“No, Dom. I’m staying,” I say just as softly.
He looks down at me with a pouty face, “Please?”
I shake my head.
He kisses me softly, slowly, “Please?”
“No,” I answer kissing him back.
“Please?” he asks again.
“No, Dom,” I answer.
“Please? All I have to do is get you a ticket, then you can go with me,” he pleads softly.
“Dom, I have work. I can’t just go with you at the last minute. Besides I don’t have any other clothes!” I argue.
“That’s a problem?” he asks with a smirk.
I giggle, “Yes! And no, I am not going!”
He laughs, “Please?”
“For the last time. No! I can’t go, Dom. I am staying right here, and I’ll be here when you get back, alright?” I ask, our foreheads are pressed together as we stare into each other’s eyes.
“Alright,” he says finally, “But you better meet me here when I come back.”
“I will, I promise,” I say with a small smile before kissing him again.
“Alright you two, knock it off,” Elijah says joining us in the corner.
“Oy, what are you two doing? You think this is your bedroom?” Billy teases following Elijah.
I tilt my head back and laugh before turning around to face them, “You two are rather rude. We’re just saying goodbye.”
“Yeah,” Dom agrees, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder.
Elijah rolls his eyes, “I thought that was why you went over to his pace today.”
I smile mischievously and Dom answers, “She needs an excuse to come over now?”
Elijah sighs, “I don’t…” words fail him as their flight is called.
“Damn,” Dom mutters into my hair.
“Alright, I’ll see you in a few days,” I say kissing him.
“Okay,” he says nodding and letting me go.
“Be careful with my car,” Elijah warns me, handing me his keys.
“I’m going to get it cleaned out,” I say with a grin, “Throw everything away. You know all those CDs and broken cases.”
“Evil, you’re evil,” Elijah says laughing.
“I like her!” Billy says hugging me quickly.
Elijah laughs and gives me a small hug before leading Billy over to the doorway. Dom kisses me one last time, hands me his car keys and walks away. I sigh and leave the airport, tucking Elijah’s keys in my back pocket.
Dom had driven everyone, but Elijah is letting me borrow his car while they’re gone- as payment for cleaning it out for him. I’m driving Dom’s car to Elijah’s and then cleaning Elijah’s car out.
I swear, that man has no respect for his car. There’s fast food wrappers and CDs all over the car. I sigh and turn on the radio, pushing in a random CD.
Music blares as I throw away food wrappers and put the CDs in their respective cases. I cannot believe he has this many CDs in his car. It’s ridiculous. How can he listen to all of them? Insane. I finish up by vacuuming the car out and carrying my full trash bags to the garbage cans out by the curb.
I lock the car up and retreat into Misty’s house. Abby and Misty are both in the living room, watching TV. I drop onto the couch next to them and sigh.
“Where’ve you been?” Misty asks.
I’m a little mad at Misty for bringing Veronica into work. Should I just ignore her? The old silent treatment?
No, it won’t work on Misty. She’s immune to the silent treatment.
“Cleaning Elijah’s car,” I sigh.
“And you survived to tell the tale?” she asks.
“Yep,” I nod.
She smiles and turns her attention back to the TV.
“Misty, why did you bring that woman to work?” I ask suddenly.
“Marilyn, you need to talk about it. You have to turn Mike in,” she says, it sounds rehearsed.
As if she practiced saying that in front of a mirror a million time before she knew it would look and sound just right. I know she used to do that before she went on dates, or asked someone out. She’d lock the bathroom door and practice saying things, memorizing the way she looked when she said them.
It drove me nuts.
“I happen to be very happy with the way my life is right now, alright? I’m not scared of him anymore. I’m safe,” I snap storming off.
I march up to my room and pull some clothes from the drawers. I stuff them into my messenger bag and march right back out to Elijah’s car. I drive to Dom’s house, not knowing where else I could hide and not worry about getting into trouble. I park Elijah’s car in the drive way and make my way into Dom’s house, using the key’s he’s entrusted me with. It takes me a moment to find the right key, but I do and I let myself in.
I inhale deeply, the house smells of Dom. I can smell his cooking, his cologne, and there’s a hint of something else, but I don’t know what. I lock the door behind me and take my bag to his room. I drop onto his bed and sigh.
Sleep comes and claims me before I have a chance to change.

[Nobody The Calico]

(In Love)

I awaken with a start and forget where I am. Then I remember driving to Dom’s to get away from Misty. I smile and crawl up under the covers, kicking my shoes off as I do so. I fall right back into my dreamless sleep.
The next couple of days pass rather quickly. I work doubles on both days and stay at Dom’s house. It feels weird to be here with out him. But I don’t care, I’m safe here. Misty can’t pester me to talk about Mike to an authority here.
Laura thinks it’s sweet that I’m staying at Dom’s house while he’s gone. And that’s her favorite topic as we shop for costumes for the party. Laura has been looking for the perfect costume for ages now. I’m very bored, and not really interested in dressing up.
“What about this?” She asks, holding a pale yellow ballerina’s costume up to her body.
“No, too much of a good girl stereo type,” I answer flipping through a rack of dresses.
“I bet you would look amazing in it,” she says suddenly.
“Huh?” I ask, looking up with surprise.
“Yeah, here, go try it on,” she orders tossing the dress my way.
I grab it and sigh. There really is no use arguing with Laura about the costume. She’s very stubborn, and would force me into the it if she had to. I take the costume into a dressing room and pull it on carefully. I step out moment’s later to show Laura exactly how horrible it looks. Her brown eyes light up and she grabs a pair of fairy wings and puts them on me. She pushes me up to a mirror and smiles proudly.
“You look great,” she says.
I take in the yellow tights, tutu, and leotard. I let my eyes linger on the large glittery wings that remind me of the fairies I used to dream about as a little girl.
“We’ll get you a tiara and I can style your hair just right, oh, you’ll blow Dom away,” she says her voice full of excitement, “And glitter. You’ll need glitter.”
“Laura, are you sure this is-”
“Marilyn, do not even go there. You look amazing. This is your costume,” she says, cutting my complaint short.
She sends me back into the dressing room to change and by the time I get out she’s already found and bought her costume. She won’t even let me know what it is, but she does tell me she knows exactly what Elijah should wear to the costume party. The two of them would go together brilliantly.
We stop and get ice cream before we drive back to Dom’s house. I put the costume bag in the closet of Dom’s room and meet Laura in the kitchen. She’s opening her little tub of double chocolate ice cream. I grab two spoons and open my container of strawberry ice cream.
“So, you and Dom are pretty serious?” she asks as we sit in the living room.
She’s at one end of the couch I’m at the other. The TV is on, but we aren’t paying attention. I’m sitting cross legged with the container of ice cream in my lap. Laura has her ice cream resting on her knees, right in front of her.
I shrug as I lick ice cream from my spoon.
“Shrugging sucks, Marilyn, dear. Answer me,” she says with a playful smile.
I smile, “Laura, have you ever felt so surprised at what’s happening around you that you’re not sure what you feel?”
I’m not sure if that makes any sense at all to her.
“Yeah. I mean, when I first came to live in LA everything surprised me. School overwhelmed me, my room mate sucked, and then there was working. Every thing was happening so fast and all at once. For a long time I wasn’t sure what I felt,” she says, “Now, I’m happy. I mean who wouldn’t be if they were dating Elijah Wood?”
“Well, moving back to LA was a giant jump for me. And now my life is so different than the way is was back in Boston. Everything’s changed for me, everything,” I say, digging at my ice cream with my spoon.
“You love him, don’t you?” she asks.
“How would you know?” I ask her right back, avoiding the question.
“It’s not rocket science,” she says with a laugh, “It’s obvious. The way you smile for no reason during work. I just know you’re thinking about him. And the way you look at him, god Marilyn. You’re practically screaming ‘I love you’ every time he touches you. It’s so clear, an idiot would figure it out.”
“What?” I ask, completely lost.
I’ve never told him I loved him. Never. And I don’t really think I smile when I think about him at work.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say shaking my head.
“You’re blind! Oh god! Marilyn, you’re fricken blind!” I think she’s completely insane- I can see just fine.
“I’ve never told him I loved him,” I say softly.
“You don’t have too! It’s written allover you! Of course it could be just a girl thing, but I can see it as if you wrote all over yourself with permanent marker,” she says, “You, my dear friend,” she points at me with her spoon, “Are-head-over-heels-butterflies-in-the-stomach-head-in-the-clouds-way-over-your-head-in-love.”
I stare at her blankly and the phone rings. I snatch it up, thankful for this distraction.
“Hello?” I ask.
“Marilyn! Oh thank god, I’ve been going mad!” Dom sounds as if he’s been worried sick about something.
“What’s wrong? Are you alright?” I ask, worry seizing me in it’s clawed hand.
What if he’s hurt? What if he’s in the hospital?
“No, no. I’m fine, I’m fine. Are you alright?” he asks, still concerned.
“I’m fine, why?” I ask, worry has released me from it’s grip, but now confusion has me.
“You’re sister said you’d stormed out the night we left and she hadn’t seen you. I was just worried. I couldn’t think of where you could have gone,” he explains, “And then Billy suggested you might have been at my house.”
“Oh, yeah. I had this argument with Misty about Mike, and came here. I probably should have called you, huh,” I say relaxing.
He chuckles, “I would have liked that. It would have saved me from flipping out.”
“Sorry. I just didn’t think about it,” I say.
“Why didn’t you just stay at Elijah’s? It’s closer, you wouldn’t have had to drive anywhere,” he says.
“I feel safe here,” I answer with out thinking.
We share a heavy silence that communicates more than any normal silence would have. It’s a silence of understanding and explanation. It’s a silence of the loudest kind. One that yells to the world the secrets we share.
“I miss you,” he says softly.
“I miss you too,” I answer, “I miss you a lot.”
“No where near as much as I miss you,” he argues.
“No, you see, I know I miss you more,” I argue, sinking back into his couch.
“Oh? And how do you know that?” he asks.
“Because I have realized exactly how big your bed is when I’m the only one in it. Do you know exactly how big that thing is? I could get lost!” I cry jokingly.
He laughs, “I’ll be home tomorrow, so try not to get lost.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch,” I inform him.
He laughs, “Are you going to meet us at the airport?”
“Of course! What time and which gate?” I ask hopping up from the couch to find a piece of paper and a pen.
I find the desired items in a drawer of the side table next to the arm chair. I write down the time and date quickly, adding a note to switch cars before I go.
“I’ll see you there,” he says.
“I’ll be waiting,” I assure him going to the kitchen to put away my ice cream.
“I have to go,” he says sadly.
“Alright, I love you,” I say quickly, afraid of putting the words out there.
I hold my breath as I slide the ice cream into the freezer. I’m waiting for the answer.
“I love you too, Marilyn,” he says, and I know he means it.
I smile and we hang up. I stand in front of the freezer smiling to myself. I told him. I said the words that match my feelings.
“Alright, so I’m going home,” Laura says joining me in the kitchen.
I close the freezer, “Oh? Why?”
“It’s already seven, and I promised my mom I’d call her,” she answers, tossing the spoon in the sink, “See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, bye,” I answer lamely.
She smiles and shakes her head before leaving me alone in the house. I shower and change into my pajamas. I pull Dom’s blanket from the bed and lay down on the couch. I turn on some sitcom and fall asleep in between commercials.



(Airport Comedy)


I’m waiting eagerly at the gate for the guys to get off the damn plane. It was delayed an hour, so I’ve been here a while. When it landed I jumped up from the chair. I’d become so excited about seeing Dom.
Now the passengers are filing out, but I don’t see him, Elijah or Billy anywhere. I’m getting worried. Maybe I’m at the wrong gate. Or maybe they missed the flight.
I frown as these thoughts occur and then push them out of my mind. I hurry back to my chair and stand on it, looking over the heads of everyone and searching for Dom’s.
“Why, I do believe you’ve gotten taller,” comes Billy’s voice from behind me.
“Billy!” I squeal happily, I bend down and hug him, but don’t get off my chair, “Where’s Dom?”
He laughs as Elijah comes up and hugs me too, “Well, we sort of lost him in the crowd.”
I stand back up and keep searching. My green eyes scan the crowd everywhere, searching for the familiar grin and beautiful eyes. I cry out when two strong hands seize my waist from behind and pull me off my chair. I turn, expecting Elijah or Billy but find Dom.
“Dom!” I cry happily wrapping my arms around him.
He smiles and holds me to him tightly, “I’ve missed you.”
“Alright, you two, lets go!” Elijah cries before I can respond.
Billy laughs as Elijah grabs Dom’s arm and separates us. There are paparazzi coming closer. I squeal as Dom grabs me around the waist and swerves me away from them. The four of us hurry to the baggage claim, weaving in and out of crowds, avoiding camera men.
I’m laughing hysterically as we reach the baggage claim. Elijah had run smack into an advertisement for some website in our escape. Not only did he cause a scene, but then Dom and I ran into a cart full of luggage. Billy is the only one that didn’t attract attention.
“Shhh,” Elijah pleads as we stand facing a wall, waiting for their bags.
Dom wraps an arm around me and I bury my laughter in his shirt. Dom is fighting back laughter as I laugh.
“Dom, stop,” Billy says, imitating Elijah.
“She’s tickling me,” he cries, trying desperately to keep his voice low.
This sets me into a whole new fit of laughter and I push away from Dom to get some air, “Shhh” I giggle holding a finger up to my lips.
Billy laughs at me and covers his mouth with a hand, hiding it.
“You guys are hopeless,” Elijah says as suitcases and duffle bags start making their appearances.
“I’m sorry, Elijah, but it was funny,” I say, controlling my giggles.
“Yeah, man, you have to admit, these two tackling that luggage cart was pretty priceless,” Billy says, nodding at Dom and I.
Elijah’s face splits into a grin as Dom frowns, “Yeah. It was. I didn’t think Marilyn could squeak.”
“I didn’t squeak,” I say shooting a look of mock anger at Elijah.
“Yes, you did. You sounded like a little mouse or something,” Elijah argues.
“But... I didn’t squeak. Cry out from shock- maybe, but squeak- hell no,” I say shaking my head.
“She squeaked!” Elijah cries, “Didn’t she Billy?”
“Don’t know, mate. I was too far behind them to hear anything besides Dom’s little complaint about things appearing from no where,” Billy says shrugging.
I stick my tongue out at Elijah, “Thank you Billy.”
“Dom! You’re girlfriend stuck her tongue out at me!” Elijah complains.
“That’s nice,” Dom comments.
“That’s exactly what he said when she flipped me off,” Billy says, frowning.
I smile sweetly at the two of them, and turn in Dom’s arms so I can see the luggage that’s coming out. Dom rests his chin on my shoulder and wraps his arms around me tightly.
“There!” Elijah cries as his bags rounds the corner.
He reaches for it, but misses and falls forward, onto the moving mat. Dom, Billy and I all break into hysterics as he fights with the strap of someone’s duffle bag.
“A little help?” he pleads as he fights with the duffle.
Finally, he somehow untangles himself and gets away from the evil luggage. Of course he missed his bag. Dom and Billy pull theirs off effortlessly. When Elijah’s circles back around he grabs for it, and pulls it off.
“Damn bags,” Elijah mumbles as they carry their bags towards the door.
I laugh and shake my head, “It was your fault.”
“How? What did I do?” he asks, glaring.
“You were being so serious!” I cry, louder than I intended.
Billy, Elijah and Dom glance around nervously. I look around, searching for whatever they’re searching for.
“You guys are paranoid,” I declare.
“Oh? You’re not?” Elijah asks.
“Not about paparazzi,” I say.
“Only because you don’t have to deal with them! I swear, they must have all been vultures in a past life or something,” Elijah complains.
I laugh, “You poor baby.”
“Hey, what about me?” Dom asks, pouting.
“You’re not the one whining,” I answer.
“Yeah, I’m to manly to whine,” Dom says proudly.
Billy and I exchange looks of humor as Dom puffs out his chest. I loose it and start laughing again.
“Awe, you’re ruining the manly moment!” Dom complains as I laugh.

[Nobody The Calico]

(Dressing Up)

Dom, Billy and Elijah agree to the costume party. And they decide to keep their costumes a secret. Well, Elijah isn’t telling anyone what Laura has planned for him. He doesn’t really like it, but he finds it interesting. Dom and Billy aren’t telling anyone what they’re costumes are going to be. I personally don’t think Billy has one yet, but that’s me.
The night of the party I get off of work late. Laura picks me up and drives me back to Dom’s house as if she’s in a race. Which she kind of is. A race against time. She runs two red lights, and nearly gets us killed. I vow never to accept a ride from her again as I fall from the car and into Dom’s driveway.
I race to the bathroom and run into the door. I thought it would just open when I turn the handle, but it didn’t. I step back from the door and shake my head as Laura falls into a fit of hysterics.
“It’s not funny,” I say knocking on the door.
“That was so good. You ran right into that door,” she wheezes, gasping for air.
I stick my tongue out at her and knock again, “Hey! Who’s in there?!”
“Tell Laura I changed my mind,” comes Elijah’s voice.
“Awe, come on, baby,” Laura’s right behind me now, holding back her laughter.
“No! I look ridiculous!” He cries.
“Oh, get over it. I need to shower! Out!” I order smacking the door angrily.
“No!”
“Elijah, if you come out I just might reconsider going to your house tonight,” Laura says, winking at me.
The door flies open and I push Elijah out. Not bothering to notice his costume. I close the door and take a quick shower. I wrap a towel around me and run to Dom’s room. Dom isn’t in there, which makes me wonder where exactly is he? I change quickly, well as quickly as I can and yell for Laura’s help.
“Yeah?” she asks, walking in.
“Wings, hair, make up.” I answer as I tie the ribbons of the ballet shoes up my leg.
She smiles and pulls a tiara from the bag. I’d forgotten about the tiara. She pulls me into the bathroom and makes me sit on the closed toilet. She attacks my hair with the comb and a blow drier. I am helpless to stop her, because I have no idea what she’s doing. After what seems like ages she steps back to admire her work. I start to get up to look and she makes me sit right back down.
“Makeup,” she declares and leaves to grab the bag of makeup she left in the living room.
She hurries back before I can move to get a peak at my hair. She starts applying different shades of glitter to my face, and then moves onto lips stick and mascara. Dom is pounding on the bathroom door by the time she’s gone.
“Come on you two!” he calls.
“Hold your horses!” she calls over her shoulder.
She steps back and searches for a mistake. She finds none and nods proudly, happy with her work. I sigh and stand up. My back is cramped up from sitting so straight for such a long time. I stretch and glance over at the mirror.
“Whoa,” I say admiring the way she’s got my hair piled up on top of my head, and then the curls she’s carefully let fall.
“Good?” she asks, watching my reaction.
I nod, admiring the golden look of my skin. My eye lids are covered in frosty yellow glitter and my cheeks are swiped with a more golden color. My lips are coated in a glittery gloss. I notice how the tips of my eyelashes are bright yellow. I smile and we let Dom have the bathroom.
“Hey! I want to see!” he cries as I run to the living room with Laura.
Laura goes to Dom’s room and retrieves my wings. I stand still as she pins them on.
“I feel like a Barbie doll,” I say with a sigh.
“Yeah, but you look fantastic, lass,” Billy walks through the front door dressed as… Dom?
Yeah, he’s dressed as Dom. He’s wearing one of Dom’s hats and shirts. He has on a pair of blue jeans that Dom would definitely wear. He looks very Dom.
“Umm, Billy?” I ask, eyeing him suspiciously.
He shakes his head, “I’m not Billy.”
“Oh, well… who are you?” I ask.
He laughs, “Don’t you recognize your own boyfriend?”
Dom joins us in the living room, fiddling with a robe type thing, “Dom, how did we get this to stay on?”
“Come here, mate,” Billy- or Dom- says.
Dom lets Billy-Dom adjust it just right and then looks over at me, “Wow, Marilyn, you look amazing.”
I smile, “Why thank you. Umm, why are you calling Billy Dom?”
“That’s his costume. He’s me,” he answers as Billy-Dom hands him a black hat, “And I,” he says putting the Robin Hood styled hat on, “am Prince Charming.”
Laura laughs as Dom smiles at us, “Alright boys. Well, I must put on my costume. Has anyone seen Elijah?”
“Nope,” Dom answers.
“I just got here,” Billy-Dom answers.
I shake my head and shrug.
“He’s probably hiding,” she muses as she disappears into the bathroom.
“What are you supposed to be Marlin?” Billy-Dom asks.
“Well… Ask Laura. She chose the costume. I’m just wearing it,” I shrug, sitting on the back of the couch, “How did Billy come up with dressing up like you?”
“It was either that or I was going to be a gorilla,” Billy-Dom answers.
“Ah, yes. Choosing Dom is a much better choice,” I say nodding.
“This is ridiculous!” Elijah’s voice can be heard from the bathroom.
“Awe, come on Elijah! Let us see!” Dom calls.
Laura laughs and appears from the kitchen. My jaw drops. I never thought she’d wear something like this. Black leather corset and matching mini skirt, knee high black boots, a black mask. She looks like a reject from the ‘Moulin Rouge’ music video. She has a black whip in one hand and what appears to be a dog leash in the other. She gives the leash a hard yank and Elijah appears next to her. A black dog collar and blue boxers with little yellow stars is all he’s wearing.
Dom, Billy-Dom, and I loose it as soon as he appears. We’re laughing too hard to tease him, and way to hard to ask any questions. Elijah crosses his arms over his bare chest and glares at the three of us.
“Marilyn, you went shopping with her. How could you let her choose this?” he asks.
“She didn’t tell me about…this,” I say laughing.
“Lets just go,” he says frowning.
“Awe, don’t be such a… bitch,” Dom says.
This makes us laugh even harder. Laura stares at us with an amused expression.
“Alright, lets go. Move it Princess,” She says poking me with the whip.
Dom wraps an arm around my waist and leads me out to the car.



(Costume Party)

The party is crowded with people dressed in bizarre costumes. When we first came in a naked guy in a chicken mask ran up to us and said the sky was falling. Dom decided that everyone should call him Prince Charming so we wouldn’t confuse poor Billy-Dom. I will be so glad when this is over. I keep forgetting to call Billy Dom.
“Alright, I’m going to go say hello to my friend,” Laura, the dominatrix, says leading Elijah away from us.
“Okay, so what should we do?” Billy-Dom asks.
“Would milady care to dance?” Prince Charming-Dom asks, holding his hand out.
I giggle and take his hand, “Why of course dear prince.”
Dom and I disappear onto the dance floor, leaving Billy-Dom alone. I keep looking over, making sure he’s alright. I feel bad about leaving him alone.
“Are you alright?” Dom asks.
“Yeah. I just… Is Billy alright being alone?” I ask.
“I guess, I don’t know. He’s not frowning is he?” he asks.
I look over at where Billy-Dom is. He looks a little lost. Like an abandoned puppy, hoping someone will save him from his loneliness.
“He looks so sad,” I answer.
Dom sighs and leads me back to Billy-Dom. Billy-Dom’s face brightens as we approach.
“Lets go get something to drink,” Dom suggests.
Billy-Dom nods and we follow Dom to the bar. We all order beers and sit talking about people and their costumes. We’re having a good laugh about the guy dressed as a female prostitute as Laura and Elijah join us.
“Having fun?” Laura asks pleasantly as she sits down.
“I still cannot believe you two,” I say shaking my head.
“Just think about what it’ll do for our sex life,” Laura says, keeping a perfectly straight face.
Elijah blushes, “Did you have to say that?”
Laura smiles sweetly as the bartender brings the beers they’d ordered. Dom and Billy-Dom go back to pointing out people and their costumes. I drink my beer and watch the party.
“Oh my god,” Billy-Dom’s voice is what cuts through my mind.
“What?” I ask looking over at him.
Dom looks at whatever he’s looking at blankly, “What?”
“Look at her!” he gasps.
I look at where he’s staring and see a slender brunette girl in the middle of a group of guys. She’s smiling and laughing as they talk to her.
“She looks like an angel,” he says.
“That could be because she’s dressed as one,” I say, taking in her short white dress and white high heels. Her feathery wings and fuzzy white halo match her white feather boa perfectly.
“Go talk to her, mate,” Dom says finishing his beer.
Billy-Dom’s face pales, “I can’t talk to a girl like that!”
“Why not?” I ask.
“Do you see her?!” he cries.
“Yes, I see her. Plain as day,” I answer.
“She’s a…a…” he drifts, obviously not able to find words.
“A woman?” I supply.
“The most beautiful, perfect woman I’ve ever laid eyes on!” he cries.
The people around us are beginning to look. Billy-Dom doesn’t seem to notice. His eyes are permanently attached to the angel.
“No she isn’t,” Dom says.
“Yes, she is,” Billy-Dom argues.
“No, Marilyn is the most beautiful, perfect girl ever to grace our presence,” Dom argues.
I blush, “Billy, just go talk to her.”
“I can’t,” he says shaking his head and turning back to the bar.
He props his elbows on the bar and drops his chin into his hands. I sigh and hop up from my stool. I wrap an arm around him and rest my chin on his shoulder.
“If you don’t go talk to her, I’ll go talk to her. And then you’d have to talk to her,” I whisper.
“No you wouldn’t,” he says.
“Wanna bet?” I ask.
He doesn’t answer so I move away from him and start walking towards the angel.
“Marilyn!” he cries, jumping up from his stool, “No!”
He runs after me, and then stops when he realizes I’m all the way up to her.
“Hi, I’m Marilyn,” I say cheerfully introducing myself to her.
“Uhhh, hi, I’m Katie,” she answers.
“Marilyn!” Billy-Dom cries from behind me.
“I think your boyfriend wants you,” Katie says, pointing over my shoulder, “And… it looks like that guy is trying to keep him away from you.”
I look over my shoulder to see Dom holding Billy-Dom back.
“Oh. He’s not my boyfriend,” I say, turning back to Katie.
“He isn’t?” she asks, her eyes lighting up.
“No, the one holding him back is, though,” I say.
She nods, and examines Billy-Dom for a minute, “Would you mind introducing me?”
“Sure,” I answer, leading her away from the circle of guys over to Dom and Billy-Dom, “Guys, this is Katie. Katie this is Dom, and Billy.”
“No, it’s Prince Charming and Dom,” Dom says, letting go of Billy-Dom.
Katie raises an eyebrow.
“Billy dressed up as Dom,” I explain, “And Dom dressed as…. Prince Charming.”
Katie laughs as Dom bows low, “Lovely to make your acquaintance.”
“Isn’t he just great?” I ask as Dom wraps an arm around me.
Katie smiles and then turns to Billy, “So what’s your real name? Billy?”
Billy nods and smiles his charming Scottish smile, “Yes, Billy Boyd.”
“Lets, dance, shall we?” I ask Dom.
He smiles and leads me back to the dance floor. I watch Billy-Dom and Katie over Dom’s shoulder carefully. They seem to be getting along just fine. She’s laughing at something he’s said. He’s got this dopey smile plastered on his face.
“We could just sit at the bar and watch them, you know,” Dom says.
“Huh? What?” I ask, my attention snapping back to him.
Dom sighs and glances over his shoulder at Billy-Dom and Katie, “Do you really want to just watch them?”
I shake my head as he looks back at me, “No, I’m sorry. I’m just a little curious. I really want Katie to like Billy.”
Dom smiles and kisses my forehead, “That’s one of the things I love about you. You get along so well with Billy. I don’t think I could stand it if the two of you hated each other.”
I smile, “How can you hate a person like Billy? He’s a laugh a minute!”



(Morning Smells)

I wake up in Dom’s arms the next morning unwillingly. I want to stay asleep. I want to drift into the comfortable nothingness that has had me in it’s claim all night. My head hurts.
How much did I drink last night?
Dom shifts in his sleep, pulling the blanket away from me. I frown and pull it back. The air conditioner is set to a below freezing temperature. I shiver and scoot closer to Dom.
He’s snoring lightly. It’s not a rumbling snore that keeps me awake at night. It’s this quiet little snore that reminds me so much of a large cat purring. One of those fat, spoiled cats, the ones that get all the love and affection they could possibly want. He sounds like one of those purring, when he snores.
I smile and rest me head on his chest. The ceiling has shadows floating a crossed it. Creating monsters and nightmares. I close my eyes, shutting them out.
Dom moves in his sleep, throwing an arm around me. The phone rings somewhere in the house. I groan and pull a pillow over my head, drowning it out. It rings five, six, seven more times and then Dom’s answering machine comes on. I can’t hear the message through the pillow and I feel as though I’m starting to suffocate.
I pull the pillow from my head and take a deep breath of artic air. I glance over that the clock and frown. It’s nine in the morning. I can’t fall back to sleep. My body is so used to being awake and moving by now.
Even if I have a killer head ach and would much rather spend the whole day sound asleep. My body has a schedule, and I better not break it. Or else I’ll end up feeling like shit. My body knows how to make me pay. A few seriously painful cramps, maybe a cold where I can’t breath through my nose. Who knows? All that matters is if I don’t get up now, I’ll pay for it later.
I sit up slowly, pulling Dom’s arm off of me, and crawl out of bed. I grab some clothes from the floor and head for the bathroom. I drop my clothes in the sink and turn on the shower. Cold water sputters from the shower head, freezing my hand even more for the moment. I adjust the water and wait a moment before sticking my hand back in. The water is warm, perfectly warm. I pull a towel from the cabinet and step into the shower.
The perfectly warm water feels wonderful on my skin. I let it run over my body for a few minutes before I grab for the shampoo. Dom’s shampoo smells of fruit. Not girly fruit. Citrus fruit. Lemons or oranges. I breath deep as I rub the soap into my scalp, inhaling the scent. I rinse my hair free of the lather and finish showering.
I turn the water off and step out. The mirror is steamed up, and the air is even colder than it was when I got in the shower. I wrap my towel around me and shiver, wondering if Dom is up yet. I dry off quickly and pull my clothes on.
I towel dry my hair as I walk out to the kitchen. I start the coffee maker and begin searching for some pain killers. My head is throbbing with pain. Maybe I drank a little to much last night. Hell if I remember.
I find a bottle of painkillers on the counter. I chase two down with a glass of water from the tap and take my towel to the laundry room. I note the very full basket next to the washer and sigh. Dom hasn’t done his laundry from his trip yet.
I put a load in and start the washer up. The kitchen smells of coffee. I want eggs and sausage. And some toast. Maybe sourdough toast. I wonder if Dom has sourdough bread.
I pull a carton of eggs out of the fridge and find a box of sausage in the freezer. I search for sourdough bread but only find English muffins and regular wheat bread. I pull a pan from the lower cupboard and start cooking sausage.
The sausage sizzles as I watch it. Soon the kitchen is full of breakfast smells. Sausage and coffee mix in the air, creating a homey feeling. I start the eggs and toast as Dom stumbles in. He sniffs at the air and then smiles.
“Breakfast smells good,” he says coming up behind me.
“Good,” I say as the washer buzzes, letting me know that the load is done.
“You’re doing laundry?” he asks, glancing in the direction of the noise.
“Yeah, well, you were behind. So I thought I’d help out,” I answer with a smile.
Dom grins and hugs me, placing light kisses on my neck, “I love you. You know that right?”
I giggle, “I love you too.”
I flip an egg as he kisses my neck again, “You’re so beautiful.”
I smile at his words. As small as they are, they mean so much to me. I don’t know if he realizes how much. I slide the eggs onto a plate with a few sausages as toast pops up.
“Breakfast,” I say handing Dom the plate.
I slide the other eggs onto another plate with the rest of the sausage and grab my toast. I follow Dom into the living room where he turns the TV on. We watch music videos as we eat our breakfast. Dom comments on this group or that group. Telling me a little bit about each one, and telling me about which ones he likes.
I finish breakfast and take my plate to the kitchen. I pour Dom a mug of coffee and then return to the washer. I transfer Dom’s wet laundry into the drier and put another load in.
The fabric softener smells fake. It’s supposed to smell like a fresh spring rain. But it doesn’t. It smells like flowers. A fresh spring rain smells like wet grass and mud puddles. A fresh spring rain smells musty and clean at the same time.
This smells like chemicals mixed to imitate something natural.

[Nobody The Calico]

(Secret Discussion)


Billy comes over while I’m folding laundry and Dom is washing dishes. He’s full of excitement and bounces around the kitchen as he tells us about Katie.
Apparently he and Katie got along rather well. So well that Billy ended up at her house. They hung out in her hammock all night, talking.
Yes.
I said talking. Billy says they talked about everything. Her life, his life their plans for the future. He says it was the best time he’s ever had.
“Apparently you’re happy,” I say as I carry a stack of Dom’s clean clothes past him.
“She’s wonderful, Mar! Wonderful!” he says with a wistful sigh.
I smile and take the laundry to Dom’s room. I set it on top of the dresser and rejoin the two in the kitchen. Dom is drying his hands, listening to Billy.
“So the four of us will go out to dinner around six and then I’m taking Katie to a movie at eight thirty,” Billy is saying.
“What?” I ask.
“Tonight,” Billy says.
“Oh? And what if I decided I don’t want to go?’ I ask.
“Please!” Billy’s eye grow wide, “Come on Mar, you have to! Please! You’re the one that introduced us!”
I laugh, “Billy, you know I wouldn’t do that.”
He smiles, “Good. It’ll be fun.”
“Ah yes, double dating. The joy! The excitement! The pure bliss!” Dom cries.
“Where?” I ask.
“Katie knows this Italian resturaunt she thinks I’d love,” he answers.
I nod, “Good. Sounds like fun.”
“It will be! Katie is wonderful!” Billy says.
“Yes, you’ve told us this,” Dom acknowledges.
“I’ll need a ride over to Misty’s to pick up some more clothes,” I say, exchanging a look with Dom.
“Alright, I can drive you. I have to stop by Elijah’s place,” Billy says.
“Are you sure that’s safe?” I ask.
“Why?” Billy asks, confused.
“Laura has a whip,” I comment.
Billy nods, “You’re right. I should probably wait.”
I smile, “You’ll still take me, right?”
“Yeah, come on, lets go,” Billy says.
“We’ll be back,” I say, kissing Dom on the cheek and following Billy.
Billy stops at a coffee shop before going to Misty’s. He orders two cappuccinos and two banana nut muffins. He seems to think it’s funny I’ve never had a banana nut muffin, just banana nut bread.
At Misty’s house, he talks with Misty while I pack up some clothes. I’m still ticked off about that Veronica woman. Even if it has been a week. I pull a light blue dress out of the closet for to night, and grab the blue heels Misty chose to match it.
I tuck the jeans and shirts under my arm, hold the dress by the hanger and loop my fingers through the straps of the shoes. I slowly walk down the stair, careful not to trip or fall.
“Misty, you shouldn’t have brought her to the resturaunt,” Billy is saying as I come to the bottom of the stairs.
I stop walking and listen.
“Marilyn wouldn’t talk to her any other way,” Misty answers.
“Are you sure? She might have talked to her here,” Billy says.
“Billy, I know my sister. She would have thrown something at her!” Misty cries.
I would not! I would have locked the door.
“Shhh, she’s right up stairs,” Billy says softly.
“I’m so worried about her, Billy. She needs to tell someone what he did. Someone other than us,” Misty sounds like she’s about to cry.
No I don’t. I am just fine.
“She will, just give her time. She needs some time to adjust to everything,” Billy says now, “She probably feels lost. She’s just getting comfortable being with Dom. And that’s a big step considering the statistics.”
Yeah! See! I’m fine! I don’t need help.
“Billy, I don’t know if she will. She doesn’t like to talk about things when they hurt her. She hasn’t seen our mother since they had that fight,” Misty says, “Marilyn keeps everything hidden.”
Great, now they’re going to discuss my secrets. This is ridiculous! I do not keep everything hidden! And just because I haven’t talked to mom since I moved to Boston doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to!
“I’m sure she was planning on seeing your mum soon,” Billy says.
Damn right.
“I doubt it,” Misty’s voice is bitter now, “She won’t unless I take her with me. And I am way to busy to do that.”
Oh, but you’re not to busy to get Veronica to try and ‘help’ me?
“Misty, I’m sure Mar has very good reasons for not going. She’s been trying to adjust to a new way of life. She’s trying to heal. She needs time,” Billy’s voice is soothing.
This is my cue. This is where I come in and they think ‘Oh shit, she heard’ and start making up excuses.
I urge my feet to bring me into the room. They don’t listen. They’re glued to the floor. Frozen.
“She’s been here for almost five months! Mom thinks she’s still living a fairy tale life with Mike!” Misty’s voice is loud, annoyed, full of emotion.
“My life with Mike was anything but fairy tale,” I snap, coming into the room.
Misty’s face pales. She has always hated being caught talking about people.
Billy looks up at me with surprise, “Oh, Mar… Ready?”
“Yeah,” I answer, glaring at Misty, “Misty, I’ll go see mom when I’m ready. And don’t you dare bring Veronica to talk to me again.”
Misty watches me as I follow Billy outside. I can feel her eyes burning into the back of my head. She’s angry. I know she’s probably pissed. But I don’t care.
Billy doesn’t try to talk to me as he drives me over to Dom’s. He just drives. I stare out the window, thinking about what they had been talking about.
Billy pulls into the drive way and sighs, “I’m not going to apologize for talking about you.”
I don’t say anything.
“The truth is, lass, we’re all worried about you. Even if we don’t say anything. You’ve been through a lot, and we don’t want to see you hurt,” He continues.
My hand reaches for the handle of the door.
“Granted, we don’t know you that well. But Dom… Dom really does love you. And if anything were to happen to you, he’d… he’d probably loose it,” Billy sighs.
“Nothing is going to happen to me Billy,” I answer, getting out of the car and taking my stuff from the back seat.


(Dinner Date)

I don’t tell Dom about Misty and Billy’s conversation. I don’t even mention it. I just let it replay in my mind while he reads. I sit on the couch, next to him staring at the pages of this book blankly. I turn a page now and then, but not a single word reaches my brain.
I don’t come out of this mode until it’s time for me to get ready for dinner. I dress silently and pull my hair away from my face elegantly. Dom takes longer getting dressed than I do. But that’s because he has to take a shower, and then he can’t find his pants.
The drive to the restaurant is uneventful. Dom babbles on about how nice Billy said Katie was. And how happy he is that Billy has some one to be with. I listen politely even though I’m not paying attention.
The resturaunt is a romantically set French place with roses on every table. Dom and I are led to a table in a secluded area. Billy and Katie are waiting for us. They’re talking to each other softly, leaning close to each other to be heard.
Dom pulls my seat out for me and I sit down.
“Hello guys,” Billy greets us cheerfully.
“Hello,” I answer sweetly as Dom sits, his chair close to mine.
“Nice, Bill. Very nice,” Dome says, looking around.
I smile politely as the waiter sets a menu before me and then fills my glass with red wine. I take a sip of my wine as Billy and Katie scan their menus. Dom picks up the menu and clears his throat. He starts reading the entrées to me in a faux French accent that sounds silly. I laugh and let him order for me.
“Billy says you’re from Boston,” Katie says as the waiter takes our menus.
“Yeah,” I nod as Dom’s hand finds mine under the table.
“Why LA?” she asks.
She must be really bored. Is there nothing to talk about besides my moving decision?
“My sister lives here,” I answer with a shrug.
“So you moved in with your sister?” she asks.
“Uh huh,” I answer suddenly very interested in the center piece.
I study the yellow and pink roses closely, noting the way they are held together with white ribbon.
“You’re sister doesn’t mind you dropping into her life so suddenly?” Katie asks.
I shake my head, “Misty always has an extra room for me. We get along pretty well too.”
“My sister and I don’t get along so well. She’s always complaining about my friends and my lifestyle,” she sighs.
“Oh?” I ask eager for Katie to change the subject.
“So, what are your plans tomorrow, Dom?” Billy asks.
“Well, I’m having breakfast with my agent, then Marilyn and I are going to a movie,” Dom answers.
I smile softly as Dom squeezes my hand. Billy and Dom keep the talk going smoothly through out the meal. Katie and I participate in the conversation, but it’s mostly them.
I feel like I’m following a script. I laugh, smile, and comment in all the right places. Dom keeps giving me a funny, concerned look. I feel like I’m floating above myself. I don’t know why, I just don’t feel right.
Maybe it’s the wine.
I feel as though my body is sitting in the chair next Dom but my soul is floating from above. Watching.
Suddenly the room is too tight. It’s to hot in here. I need some air. I search for Dom’s hand under the table. I feel lost suddenly. I find it and squeeze it.
“Are you alright?” he asks softly, he’s looking at me with an expression of concern.
“I don’t feel so good,” I mumble, my voice sounds so far away.
“Mar? Are you alright?” Billy’s looking at me funny now too.
I shake my head and rub my temple with my free hand.
"Honey, are you okay?” Dom asks.
“No, I need to leave. I need some air,” I gasp.
The air is stale and hot. It feels like I’m in a desert. Dom helps me stand and leads me outside. I hear him telling Billy that he’s going to take me home and that he’ll call him tomorrow.
I rest my head against the window and let the air conditioned air rush over me. Dom doesn’t turn on the music when he gets in he just drives. He keeps asking if I’m alright, if I need anything. I tell him I’m fine, that I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
“Are you sure? We could stop somewhere. Anywhere,” his voice is nervous.
I turn to him and smile, “Dom I’m just fine now. I was just getting claustrophobic in there. To much wine and French food.”
“Are you sure?” He keeps sending me worried little glances as he drives.
“Yes, Dom. I’m absolutely sure. I’m fine. Let’s just go home,” I say tiredly.
He nods and drives the rest of the way silently. When we get to his house he opens the car door and helps me out. I lean against him as we walk into the house.
“I think I’m okay now,” I say standing up straight.
I wobble a little bit but hide it as I go to the couch. I take off my high heels and stretch. I become extremely light headed, like I’d stood up to fast.
“I’m exhausted,” I yawn.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asks, sitting next to me.
“Yes, Dom. Don’t worry,” I say smiling at him softly.
“How can I not worry? I love you and I don’t want anything to happen to you,” he says pulling me to him.
I rest my head against his chest and listen to the soothing sound of his heart.
“I don’t know what I would do if I lost you, Marilyn. It scares me to think about it,” his voice is soft.
“So don’t think about it,” I answer.



(Orli’s Problem)



Dom leaves for his breakfast meeting early the next morning, but not before calling Elijah. Elijah and Laura come over to ‘hang out’. But I’m not a moron. Dom asked them to keep an eye on me today.
I over heard Dom on the phone. But it doesn’t matter I’m fine now. I feel just fine. It was probably the wine and food. I never did like French food.
I don’t comment on it anyways.
The movie is fine, and I don’t get sick at all. I think I convinced Dom it was just the food and wine. I’ve convinced him, but now I’m not so sure.
Something in the pit of my stomach tells me there’s something wrong. Maybe I’m just coming down with something. But it doesn’t matter. Not right now.
What matters right now is that Laura has informed me that Misty is planning a barbecue. Which is cool. I like barbecues, and it’ll be a fun thing to do.
I make potato salad, mainly because Elijah asks me too. Dom and I stop and pick up some beer on the way. It seems like Dom’s main job is to bring the booze. He did it at Elijah’s barbecue and he’s doing it for Misty’s.
“The lovebirds!” this is how Orli greets us.
I smile and set my large bowl of potato salad on the counter of the kitchen.
“I remember the last barbecue. You,” Orli points at me, “were really quite.”
“Orli, how drunk are you?” Dom asks as Orli take a long swig from a beer bottle.
Orli holds in finger inches apart, “This much, mate! Look at how shiny Marilyn’s hair is!”
With this comment he starts petting my head, like a little puppy. He even attempts to scratch behind my ear.
“Okay, a little too touchy feely for me,” I say backing away.
Orli smiles, “You’re so shy.”
“Yes, and that’s the way I’ll remain,” I answer as Orli takes another swig.
“Yes, but you’re very pretty and you shouldn’t be shy. Why are you so shy? Why do you flinch when Dom touches you?” his eyes are searching mine is drunk curiosity.
“Alright, mate, I think you’ve had enough,” Dom says pulling the bottle from his hand.
I shoot Dom a grateful look as Orli asks me more about why I’m so shy. Dom gives me a small smile as Elijah and Laura come in from the backyard.
“Hey guys, what’s going on?” Laura asks greeting us cheerfully.
“We just got here,” I shrug pulling a cold beer from the fridge and handing it to Dom.
“You made the potato salad!” Elijah exclaims seeing the bowl.
I nod as Dom opens the beer I handed him and takes a drink. I pull another one out and open it.
“We’re all out back. Billy and his girlfriend… Katie? Set up a game of twister,” Laura says.
“Twister!” Orli yells, grabbing his stolen beer and running out the back door.
I take a sip of my beer and let Dom lead me out back. Marilyn and Viggo are standing at the grill laughing. Almost as soon as I reach the grass Abby runs up and throws herself at me.
“Aunt Marilyn!” her squeal is of pure joy.
I smile and drop Dom’s hand so I can hug her. She looks at Dom then hugs him too, before running off to play with Billy and Katie.
“Marilyn! You made it!” Misty calls me over to the grill.
I leave Dom and join her. Viggo flashes me a friendly smile as Misty hugs me.
“What’s up?” I ask her.
“Not a lot, really. How’s life at Dom’s house?” she asks, a mischievous glint in her crystal eyes.
“Wonderful, thank you very much,” I answer as a large slime covers my face.
“Oh wow. You’re right,” Viggo says covering his mouth with his hand.
“What?” I ask, a little alarmed.
“She tried to tell me but I didn’t believe her,” he says.
“What?” I ask, completely confused.
“I told you,” she says shrugging.
“What?!” I cry.
“What’s going on?” Dom asks as he joins us.
He wraps an arm around my waist comfortably. Viggo shakes his head and Misty just smiles.
“I have no clue,” I answer.
“How long have you two known each other?” Viggo asks suddenly.
My mind is blank. I really don’t know how long I’ve been here.
“Six months tomorrow,” Dom answer with out missing a beat.
I look at him a little surprised. I didn’t think he would remember something like that.
“What?” he asks seeing my expression.
“I just didn’t think you’d know that,” I answer.
“How could I forget?” he asks.
I shrug, “I didn’t know.”
“Yes, but you didn’t fall in love the first time you set eyes on me,” he answers, “I however tripped when I saw you.”
“You did not,” Billy says coming up next to Viggo.
“He did stumble though, didn’t he?” Elijah asks joining us.
I notice that Abby is sitting on Elijah’s shoulders. He really is a good father.
“Yes, actually, I do recall a stumble,” Billy nods thoughtfully.
“I don’t,” I add.
“I remember tripping,” Dom says.
“What does tripping have anything to do with…. Anything?” Katie asks.
“It’s how I fell in love with the most beautiful girl in the world,” Dom answers.
Misty and Viggo exchange knowing looks. I hate those damn looks. They make me feel so inferior.
“Who?” Orli asks as he joins us.
“Marilyn,” Dom answers as Orli drops into a chair.
“Ah! Yes! The beautiful, talented, graceful Marilyn! How are you my darling?” Orli asks.
“Just fine, thank you,” I answer casually.
“Ladies and gentleman, if your just joining us let me refresh your memory. Marilyn is Dom’s new toy. She dropped into his life very unexpectantly one day a few months ago. She doesn’t talk about her past much, and she had an extremely large bruise on her stomach the first time we saw her. So Marilyn, tell us, where did that bruise come from?” Orli’s eyes are intense pools of dark suspicion.
“Uh…” I’m lost, drowning in a pool of embarrassment.
Everyone except Dom, Billy and Misty are looking at me in confusion. I feel like disappearing. I want to just go away. Why does he have to ask? Shouldn’t he just guess or something?
“Orli, I think you’ve had enough,” Dom says taking Orli’s beer away from him.
Orli glares at Dom, “I just want to know what one of my best mates is getting himself into. I want to know where that bruise came from!”
“Orli, don’t worry about it,” Dom says, his voice low.
The two stare at each other testily. The tension is getting thick enough to choke someone. I chew my lip nervously as everyone watches them.
“I found the potato chips!” Laura says as she joins us from inside.
Her cheery voice cuts through the tension, distracting everyone momentarily.
“What’s going on?” her cheery voice falters when she spots Dom and Orli glaring each other down.

[Nobody The Calico]

(Break Time)

“Just asking the lovely Marilyn why she was all bruised up when she dropped into our lives,” Orli asks.
“Orli, shut up,” Dom says, his voice taking an angry tone.
“Maybe you should let her tell us, Dom. It’s not a big secret is it? Some terrible accident? People just don’t move cross country without a good reason, Dom,” Orli says.
“Orli, I said shut up. Leave her alone,” Dom’s gritting his teeth now.
Orli stands up, “What is she hiding? What can’t she tell us? It’s not like any of us are going to hurt her, Dom. No one is going to hurt your precious little angel!”
I close my eyes and cover my face with my hands. I wish that when I open them I’ll be somewhere else. Maybe in Dom’s bed, with his arms wrapped around me. Somewhere safe. Anywhere safe.
“Why are you hiding, Marilyn? What scares you so much?” Orli calls, his drunk, angry voice piercing my thoughts.
“Orlando, stop it,” Billy orders.
“Stop what? Looking out for my mate? Stop worrying about the girl that’s suddenly taken over his life? Sure, Bill. Any bloody time!” Orli shouts.
“Orlando! Stop it,” Viggo’s sounding angry now.
“Mommy, I don’t like this,” Abby’s frightened little voice seems to cut through Orli’s drunken mood.
Misty glares at Orli before she pulls Abby off of Orli’s shoulders, “It’s alright sweetie. Orlando is just a little angry.”
“But why does he have to be angry at Aunt Marilyn?” she asks in her innocent little voice.
Misty shrugs and takes Abby inside.
“Orlando, I think you need to calm down,” Viggo says calmly.
“Yeah, sorry,” Orli shakes his head. He stands up and walks into the house, muttering to himself.
An awkward silence settles over us. Everyone that doesn’t know is pondering Orli’s rant. Wondering what I’m hiding. I can feel it as we stand around the grill awkwardly, sipping our beers.
Laura sighs, “Man, what a way to bring a party down.”
I shift uncomfortably and then leave them standing there. I walk into the house and find Orli sitting on the couch, his head in his hands.
“Orli?” I ask.
“What?” his voice is flat.
“Are you alright?” I ask.
“No, Marilyn, I’m not,” he grumbles.
“What’s wrong?” I ask sitting down next to him.
“Kate and I… I think she’s going to break up with me,” he says sadly.
“Why do you say that?” I ask running my finger around the edge of my beer bottle’s label.
“She just been getting colder and colder towards me. She always seems too busy for me. It’s like,” he sighs and looks at me, “It’s like she’s trying to push me away.”
“So let her,” I advise.
“What? Let her dump me?” he asks blinking.
“No, just let her have some room. Maybe she feels suffocated. If you give her some room she’ll appreciate it a lot,” I answer.
“Yeah?” he asks.
“Uh huh. I hate being suffocated, I like it when a guy gives me room to be myself and have some personal relaxing time,” I answer.
He watches me with his dark eyes as I stare down into my beer bottle, “Ya know, you aren’t so bad.”
“Gee, thanks,” I laugh.
“I wish you’d tell me why you dropped into LA so quickly,” he says.
I sigh, “Orli, I really don’t want to talk about it. I left Boston for a good reason, and LA is the only place I could have gone. I don’t have anyone anywhere else.”
He nods slowly, “Dom and Billy were talking about someone named Mike. I over heard them in the kitchen once.”
“Don’t worry about it. He’s not important,” I say confidently.




(Lovely Darkness)


I help Misty clean up after everyone goes over to Elijah’s house. Orli lets my secret drop and the night progresses along a lot smoother after I talked with him. Everyone seemed to push it out of their minds like an unwanted pile of confusion.
We eat the hamburgers that Viggo and Misty cooked and pile our plates up with potato salad and potato chips. We talk abut maybe going to the beach this weekend or taking a trip down to Mexico, to chill at Billy’s place down there.
After dinner Abby gets put to bed and we take our loud group over to Elijah’s. I stay behind and help Misty with the dishes and trash. As of now I am taking out the last bag of trash.
“Hey, Marilyn,” Misty calls as I open the front door.
“What?” I call back, pausing.
“Have you been sick lately?” she asks.
Great, now Dom has her looking out for me.
“Not really. I got a little claustrophobic at a resturaunt with Dom. But that’s it,” I answer.
“Oh, alright,” she says.
I sigh and take the black garbage bag out to the garbage can in the garage. I return to the kitchen where Misty is putting away the left over potato salad.
“What?” she asks as I watch her.
“I like this,” I answer sitting on a stool.
“Like what?” she asks.
“Having barbecues and friends and being close to you. I like being able to do what I want. This is way better than before,” I answer.
“I’m glad you’re happy,” she says.
“I’m very happy. Ecstatic, even. It’s amazing to be in love!” I say.
She laughs, “Marilyn, you amuse me.”
“I amuse my self. Do you know that the other day I found myself thinking about the M word?” I ask.
“The M word?” she asks raising an eyebrow.
I lean in and drop my voice dramatically, “Marriage!”
Her eyes go wide, “Oh! That M word!”
I nod, “I mean, sure, I always thought I’d marry Mike. But that was because everyone expected it! But with Dom… I’ve only known him for a short time, Misty! And I’m so lost. I feel safe and wonderful and amazing when I’m with him. It’s amazing.”
“Man, Marilyn, I’ve never seen you this way before,” she says laughing.
“I know. It’s amazing, Misty. Amazing. It’s like my heart is constantly fully of little butterflies or something. Every time he touches me I go all fluttery inside,” I smile.
“Good lord, girl,” Misty says smiling, “You’re delirious.”
I laugh, “I should probably go over to Elijah’s.”
She smiles, “Alright. Bye, see you later.”
“Bye,” I say hugging her and leaving.
I walk a crossed the damp grass and enter Elijah’s house with out knocking. The lights are all off, everything is dark. Loud rock music blasts from the living room, so naturally I head for the living room.
“Guys? Hello?” I call over the blaring music.
No one answers. There is no one in the room.
Suddenly a shadowed figure with a flash light jumps from behind the couch and tackles me into an arm chair. I smell Dom’s cologne as the figure pins me down.
“What the hell?!” I shout pushing him off.
A pillow suddenly hits me from behind. I fall from the chair, landing on Dom.
“Ow! Shit!” Laura’s curse rings out from the kitchen somewhere.
Someone trips over my leg and joins Dom and I on the floor. Dom groans with pain as the weight hits him.
“Okay, so when did we decide to dog pile Dom?” Dom asks from under me.
“Oh you know you like it,” I answer kissing his arm- I can’t get close enough to kiss his lips.
He laughs as whoever landed on me groans. Someone turns on a light and I find Katie laying on top of me.
“Hello, doll,” I greet her.
“Ready for that threesome?” Dom asks as we sit up.
Katie smirks, “Sure am.”
“Whoa! Hold it! Time out! What about me?!” Billy asks coming into the room.
“You can watch if you like,” Katie offers.
Billy frowns as I stand up, pushing Katie off my legs. I yawn and then drop my body into the arm chair.
Elijah comes carrying Laura into the room.
“Please, don’t tell me you’re married already,” Dom groans.
“She stubbed her toe on the fridge,” Elijah answers.
I laugh as Dom Slides out from under Katie and stands up.
“Well that was fun,” he says cheerfully.
“Would anyone like to explain to me exactly what you were doing?” I ask.
“Erm…. Well…” Billy and Katie exchange embarrassed looks.
“I don’t really want to know what you two were doing,” I say.





(Sick Again)


The next day Laura and I have a double together. It’s a fairly busy day. We spend all morning rushing around. Our new pancakes and waffle special seems to be a big hit. It seems to be the only dish people are interested in.
I’m playing waitress today because one of the girls called in sick at the last minute. Which isn’t too bad. It’s a good day, though my feet are killing me, I’m sick of smiling, and I think old people smell funny.
“How you doin?” Katie asks as we pause in the kitchen at one point of our busy morning.
“My head hurts,” I moan, dropping my head on her shoulder.
“Poor baby,” she says in a teasing way as she fishes a bottle of aspirin from her smock, “Take two and call me in the morning.”
She taps two pills from the bottle into my hand and I swallow them with water. I pick up my new order and follow her out the door, back into the noisy dinning area. I buzz around for a few more hours before my head starts pounding.
I ignore it and continue working. I force a smile, and keep the costumers happy. Suddenly I feel extremely sick, I hand my tray of dirty dishes to Laura and run for the bathroom. I burst into a stall and lean over the toilet to release my stomach of whatever is causing this. Laura comes in after I’ve emptied my stomach.
“Hey, are you alright?” she asks.
“I think I’m sick,” I mumble, leaning against the stall wall.
“Yeah, I guessed about that much,” she says with her little sarcastic smirk.
“I think I need to go home,” I groan leaning my head back against the wall.
“I’ll go find Max,” she offers, leaving me alone in the way to bright bathroom.
I rack my brain thinking back to what I might have eaten to upset my stomach. Nothing comes to mind. Dom made me waffles for breakfast, I only ate half of one before I realized I had to be at work early. I shared a salad with Laura and had a large milk shake with that for lunch. Yesterday I only had one of Misty and Viggo’s burgers and some potato salad, along with a couple beers. Lunch was skipped and breakfast… I don’t remember breakfast.
“Marilyn?” Max calls into the bathroom.
“There’s no one else in here,” I answer.
He opens the door and finds me sitting on the floor, “You look like shit.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” I answer, reaching over to flush the toilet.
“Go home, sleep it off, if you don’t feel good in the morning call me, let me know,” he says feeling my forehead, “You don’t feel hot or anything, it might just be a stomach bug.”
“Thanks Max,” I give him a small smile, “You’re great.”
“I have two daughters, I know when someone is sick, Marilyn. If you don’t feel better tomorrow, go see a doctor,” he says helping me stand.
I nod as he leads me out of the bathroom. I call Dom from the phone at the front desk.
“Hello?” he answers, there’s a lot of noise behind him.
“Hey, it’s me,” I say softly.
“Marilyn? What’s wrong?” Are you alright?” his questions come quickly.
“I’m fine, well… Actually, I’m sick. Could you come pick me up from work?” I ask.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be there in… ten minutes,” he answers.
“Thanks, see you soon,” I smile.
“Love you, see you soon,” he responds.
“Love you too,” I answer as we hang up.
I sit down on the bench in front of the resturaunt and wait for him. The night air is chilly. A slight breeze blows, teasing my hair as I sit there. I sigh, this is so different from Boston. So wonderful. So perfect.
“Hey,” Laura sits next to me.
“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be working?” I ask.
“I have a five minute gap,” she answers.
“Oh,” is all that comes to mind.
“Umm, Marilyn, honey,” she starts slowly.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“Umm, well Dom told me you were sick like this a couple nights ago,” her eyes are on the ground, as if she’s scared to tell me what she’s about to say.
“Yeah, at the resturaunt with Billy and Katie,” I answer.
“Well…. I remember my sister being sick like this… when… she was pregnant with her son,” she says the last few words quickly, forcing them into the world.
My hearts skips. Pregnant? No, I cannot be pregnant. I don’t want to be pregnant.
“Oh god,” I mumble, covering my mouth with my hand.
“But, it might just be a bug or something…” she adds, “I just wanted you to… know what I think…”
“No, I don’t want to be…” I pause and whisper, “Pregnant.”
She looks up at me with confusion, “Wouldn’t that seal your relationship with Dom? Wouldn’t he marry you if you were?”
“I don’t care! I don’t want to have any kids!” I cry.
She laughs, “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes. I’ve been through so much, and I know how horrible this world is. There is no way I’m letting some poor kid go through it,” I say.
She smiles, “Yeah, but that’s the fun part. You get to keep your kid from going through what you went through.”
“You want kids, don’t you?” I ask.
“Yes, two, a boy and a girl,” she answers.
“Good lord, you’re nuts,” I say.
She rolls her eyes, “They’re going to have everything I never did, and anything else they want.”
“They sound spoiled,” I remark.
She laughs, “Yeah, they’ll be completely spoiled.”
I shake my head, “Be prepared for years of therapy. They’ll blame you for everything.”
Dom pulls up before she can answer.
I turn look at her with a serious face, “Don’t tell anyone about this conversation. No one!”
She nods, “Hey Dom.”
“Hey, Laura,” he says as we stand up, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I answer as he hugs me.
“See you tomorrow, Marilyn,” Laura says before heading back inside.
“Are you sure?” he asks.
“Yeah, I think something just upset my stomach,” I answer, pushing the thoughts of an unwanted pregnancy out of my mind.
He nods as we climb in his car, “Do you want me to pick anything up before we go home? Soup?”
“Nah, I think it was just something I ate,” I tell him.
“Alright,” he says uncertainly.
I smile, “Don’t worry about it Dom. I’ll be fine in the morning.”

[Nobody The Calico]

(Friend Thing)


I feel fine in the morning. Dom believes that it was just something I’d eaten for lunch and leaves it at that. Dom drops me off at the resturaunt on the way to some meeting.
“You’re feeling better?” Max asks as I walk through the front door.
“Well, I didn’t call in sick,” I respond, checking in.
“Hey, Marilyn,” Todd greets me as he comes from the kitchen drinking a bottled water with two straws.
“Hey,” I answer with a little wave.
“So where is that yummy boy toy of yours?” he ask looking out the front windows.
“On his way to an important meeting,” I answer with a small smirk.
“You sure are lucky,” he comments as walk into the kitchen.
“I know,” I answer pulling a cup from the stack, “So what have you been up to?”
“Nothing really, I’ve been going to auditions and stuff,” he shrugs as I fill my cup with Rootbeer.
“You’re an actor?” I ask.
“No, I’m a dancer. I’ve been auditioning for music videos and things like that,” he answers.
“Oh,” I nod as I follow him into the dinning area.
“Marilyn!” Laura’s voice catches me off guard as I fight with the paper wrapping of my straw.
“Hey!” I answer, smiling as she pulls me into the bathroom.
“I got you something,” she says pulling a brown paper bag out of her backpack.
“What?” I ask uncertainly as she opens it.
“A pregnancy test,” she says pulling a white and pink box out.
My face feels like it’s on fire, “Oh, thanks.”
“It’s, you know, just in case,” she says.
I smile, “Thanks Laura.”
“No problem, it’s a friend thing,” she answers hugging me.
“Girls, if you’re done in there, it’s opening time,” Todd calls into the bathroom.
“We’ll be right out!” I call.
“I’ll hold onto it for you until we have a chance to put it in your bag,” she says as she shoves it back in her bag.
“Thanks,” I say as we head into the resturaunt.
I take my position at the front desk and start the day off by seating a nice elderly couple for brunch. Since Laura and I are both on singles today, she drives me homes at lunch. Dom’s car isn’t in the drive when we get to the house, which doesn’t surprise me.
“I’m craving a turkey sandwich, what about you?” I ask as we walk through the front door.
“I’m in a ham sandwich mood myself,” she says as we enter the kitchen.
I pull the packs of turkey and ham from the fridge, “The breads over there.”
She follows my nod to the counter. She opens a bag of bread and pulls four slices out. I toss her the packets of meat and pull the mayonnaise and cheese out.
“So, how’s everything with you and Lijah?” I ask tossing her the jar of mayonnaise.
“Good, he’s such a sweetheart, ya know?” she says spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise over a piece of bread.
“That’s good,” I say putting a slice of cheese on the maoyed bread.
“I guess, it’s a little boring,” she sighs, spreading the mayonnaise over another slice of bread.
I add cheese, “Meaning?”
“Meaning that we don’t do anything really fun,” she answers putting ham on her bread, “Our relationship is… fading.”
“Fading?” I ask putting turkey on my bread.
“Yeah, we’re not head over heels, forever and ever in love like you and Dom. We’re… infatuated,” she answers staring off into the distance.
“Infatuated?” I ask.
“Yeah, we’re infatuated with each other. At least, I’m infatuated with him, I don’t know about him,” she answers putting away the ham and mayonnaise.
“You’re impossible!” I groan putting away the cheese and turkey.
She laughs, “Sorry, I’m hard to satisfy!”
“Obviously,” I say as we make our way onto the back patio.
“I don’t think I’ll ever have something like you have with Dom. I can’t stay infatuated with a guy long enough,” she shrugs as we sit down at the table.
I laugh, “Not even with Elijah?”
“No,” she shakes her head.
“But… I know there have to be girls that would kill to be with him,” I say.
She nods thoughtfully while chewing a bite of her sandwich, “Yeah. I’m not going to break up with him or anything. I just don’t think we’ll last.”
I nod, “Well, at least you’re aware of that.”
“Yeah,” she agrees, “Ya know, Marilyn, I wish you would have been here last year.”
“Why?” I ask slowly as I take a bite of my sandwich.
“Then you could have helped me get over my ex-fiancé,” she answer.
“Ex-fiancé?” I ask, almost choking on my sandwich.
“Yeah,” she says slowly, her eyes adverted.
I swallow my bite of sandwich and lean in, “So?”
“Well. I was engaged to my high school sweet heart, I mean we’d been together since Freshman year. So we thought we were perfect for each other! And then he started cheating on me. So I ended it,” she says shrugging.
She shrugs as if it was nothing important, as if it didn’t matter. Just another scratch on the wall. I stare at her blankly, she must have been devastated by that, and yet she refers to it as if it was nothing.
“Wow,” I breath.
“Nothing important,” she shrugs.




(Katie’s House)

The next couple days fly by, and I keep getting sick. The sneaky suspicion of pregnancy keeps resurfacing in my mind every time I push it down. I start praying for my period to come, knowing then I could relax.
I’ve been able to keep my troubled thoughts a secret from everyone except Laura. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that Katie might be suspicious too. She’s been hanging out with Laura and I a lot more lately. Which is what we’re doing now.
We’re all lounging around Katie’s pool.
“I’m tired,” Laura complains again.
“So we’ve been informed,” Katie comments sipping her sweet tea.
“Do you realize we’ve been sitting here for an hour and fifteen minutes?” I ask.
“Well the two of us have, you keep getting up and going to the bathroom,” Katie says.
Laura sits up in her chair and reaches for her glass of sweet tea. We exchange a quick glance as she does so, and Katie catches it.
“What’s going on?” she asks.
“Nothing,” Laura and I answer quickly.
“Yeah, usually when two people answer a question like that the way you two just did, something is going on,” she says.
“Nothing is going on, Katie,” I say forcing a sincere smile.
At least, I hope it’s a sincere smile. I don’t think it is. Katie has a really doubting look on her face.
“You guys can tell me,” she says, her voice comforting.
“Nope,” Laura says.
“So there is something! Ha! I knew it!” Katie smiles triumphantly.
“I meant.. nope, because there is nothing to tell,” Laura covers.
“Yeah, sure,” Katie says with a role of her eyes.
I sigh, “It’s nothing.”
“It’s obviously something,” Katie argues as I turn my guilty gaze to the sky.
I watch as puffs of white float lazily a crossed a dull blue sky.
“Are you going over to Dom’s for dinner, Katie?” Laura asks, in a hope to change the subject.
“Yeah. I didn’t want to, but Billy begged,” she answers.
“Why didn’t you want to go?” Laura asks.
“I still feel a little weird around them. They’re movie stars, it’s just… so weird,” she answers.
I laugh, “You’ll get used to it.”
“That’s easy for you to say, you didn’t even know who they were when you first met them,” Laura says.
“How do you know?” I ask.
“Elijah told me about how odd you acted the first time you met them- at his barbecue or something,” Laura says.
“Oh,” I answer.
“You didn’t know who they were? They’re every where! Lord of the Rings is one of the hugest things out there,” Katie exclaims.
“Yeah.. well, I’m not much of a movie person,” I answer with a careless shrug.
“Well, I guess that would make you a perfect match for a movie star then,” Katie comments.
“Why?” Laura asks.
“She’s not a rabid fan girl,” Katie answers.
“What, and I am?” Laura asks.
“Yeah, but don’t feel bad, so is Katie,” I answer, looking over at them.
They both glare at me playfully. I shrug and reach up for my tea. I take a sip and savor the coldness. And then I spill some of it on my bare stomach. I scream from the shock of icy liquid hitting my hot skin and sit up quickly, spilling the rest of it on my legs.
“Holy shit, that’s cold!” I cry standing up.
Katie and Laura are in tears of laughter over this little incident.
“It’s not funny!” I cry.
“Yes… it is!” Laura laughs.
Katie is laughing to hard to speak. The phone starts ringing so I run into the house and scoop it up.
“Katie’s House of Torture, Marilyn speaking,” I answer, loudly- so Katie can hear.
“Marilyn! Don’t answer the phone like that!” she cries.
“Marilyn?” Dom’s voice greets me.
“Hey!” I answer as Katie tries to wrestle the phone from my grip.
“Hello?” she asks when she pulls it from me.
Moments later she hands it back.
“Hey,” I say again.
“What are you two doing?” Dom asks.
“Three, Laura is here too. And we’re just hanging out,” I answer as Laura carries my empty glass into the kitchen.
“Oh, well, that’s cool. Are they going to bring you over here?” He asks.
“Over… where?” I ask.
“Home,” he answers.
“Hang on,” I tell him and then I hold the phone against my shoulder to ask, “Hey, Katie, will you give me a ride back to Dom’s? Or do you want him to come get me?”
“I’ll take you, I don’t mind,” she answers from the kitchen.
“She says she’ll bring me over,” I answer.
“Alright, cool,” he says.
“I’ll see you later,” I say.
“Love you,” he says quickly, before I can hang up.
“Love you too, bye,” I say hanging up.
“You two are so cute!” Katie squeals from the kitchen.
Laura laughs as I join them in the kitchen.
“What are you two doing?” I ask as Laura shoves a banana in the blender.
“Making a fruit smoothie,” Katie answers.
“Ah, yes, well that looks poisoned,” I say eyeing the pale pink liquid.
“So don’t drink it,” Katie says pouring some into a glass.
Laura pours the rest into another glass and they exchange amused glances.
“Cheers!” Laura says as they clink glasses.
They swallow large amounts at once and then rush for the sink. They spit the pale pink liquid into the sick and rinse their mouths out.
“That was disgusting!” Katie cries.
“I think the kiwi was a bad idea,” Laura groans.



(Nothing’s Wrong)


“I’m stuffed!” I groan as I drop onto the couch.
“No more food!” Laura adds, falling onto the other end of the couch.
“Please, keep it away from us,” Katie groans, sitting on our feet.
“You know, I think they’re full,” Dom comments as the three guys watch us lounge on the couch.
“Really? They don’t have room for desert?” Elijah asks.
“No! Keep it away from us!” I cry.
“Well, that means we get to eat all these chocolate puddings by our selves guys,” Billy says.
“Yes, all these home made, double chocolate puddings… all six of them,” Dom calls.
“Yes, I believe that’s two each,” Billy says.
“Why, I believe you’re right,” Dom agrees.
“Stop teasing us!” Laura orders, glaring over the back of the couch at them.
“But it’s fun,” Billy calls.
“It won’t be later!” Katie warns him.
Dom brings a bowl of pudding to me with a spoon, “Are you sure you don’t want any?”
“If you keep teasing me I’m liable to sleep at Misty’s,” I threaten.
He sits down in front of me and starts eating the pudding himself, “That’s cold.”
“Yes, well I’m full,” I answer.
“I am never eating here again,” Katie groans.
“Why not?” Billy asks leaning over the back of the couch.
“Dom cooks to much damn food,” she answers.
“Hey! I helped!” Billy protests.
“It’s your fault then!” Laura cries.
I laugh as Billy looks from Laura to Katie as they glare at him.
“Guys, we’ll feel better in the morning, and we’ll want to do it all again,” I remark.
“She’s right,” Dom says from the floor.
“Yeah, well, we’re ignoring that little part of life,” Katie says.
“I’m tired,” Laura says.
“Side effect,” Billy comments.
“How about we just sleep right here?” I ask.
“Sounds good,” Katie agrees.
“Where’s Elijah?” Laura asks suddenly.
“Putting away the pudding,” Billy answers, “Dom is the only one hungry enough to eat any.”
Laura nods. Katie smiles softly and yawns.
“Will one of you lovely, wonderful, caring men get us a blanket?” Laura asks.
Billy sighs, “You guys can’t stay here.”
“Why not?” Katie asks.
“I’m not sure he understands the fact we can’t move,” Laura says.
“They can stay,” I protest.
Billy looks at Dom who just shrugs as he finishes the pudding, “All I know is that was the best pudding I’ve ever had.”
I laugh, “Dom, honey, please get us a blanket.”
Dom smiles, “Sure.”
I watch as he gets up and walks towards the bedroom.
“Pitiful!” Billy yells after him.
“Jealous!” Dom yells back.
“Of what, exactly?” Katie asks.
“Of my sexy body,” Dom answers, returning with a blanket.
He drops the blanket on top of US.
“Billy is sexy!” Katie protests from under the blanket.
“Yeah! I’m sexy!” Billy cries.
Elijah’s laughs reach our ears from the kitchen. Katie pushes the blanket away from her face and sends Dom a scowl.
“And just what do you think you’re laughing about mister?” She calls.
“You guys are hilarious!” he calls.
“Oh?” Laura asks.
“Yeah, if someone didn’t know who you were, or how you knew each other and they walked in on a conversation like that…” He shrugs as he joins us in the living room.
“You’re jealous too,” Dom acknowledges, dropping his body into the recliner.
“Am not! What do I have to be jealous of??” Elijah asks, crossing his arms.
“My sexy, manly body, of course,” Dom replies, “But it’s not your fault. Who can help but want me?”
“Me!” Katie and Laura answer together.
Billy and Elijah exchange amused glances as Dom pouts.
“Well, most people can’t help themselves,” he pouts.
“It’s alright, honey. I want you,” I tell him.
“Now?” He asks.
“No!” I blush.
Every one laughs as my face flushes pink in a matter of seconds.
“Awe, you’re making Mar blush!” Billy cries.
“She’s so cute when she blushes!” Katie cries, pinching my cheek.
“That’s not funny,” I protest.
This makes Katie laugh, “Everything is funny right now.”
“Is not!” I cry.
“Is so,” Laura buts in.
“Is not,” I say again.
“Is so,” Dom answers.
“What is this? Gang up on Marilyn?” I ask.
“Yes, it’s this great new game. Everyone is playing it,” Billy says.
I roll my eyes and pull the blanket over my head. No one says anything for a moment.
“Umm, Mar?” Elijah asks first, shattering the silence.
“Marilyn isn’t home,” I answer, “Please leave a message after the beep.”
No one says anything for a moment.
“When’s the beep coming?” Laura asks.
“It isn’t,” I answer.
“Well, if you aren’t Miss Crabbypants,” Laura huffs.
“Yes, I am,” I answer.
“I think someone needs a nap,” Dom comments.
Before I know it he scoops me up from the couch, blanket and all and carries me from the room. I don’t bother wiggling, I feel tired anyways, and I think he’s headed for the bedroom.
“You alright?” his voice is right in my ear.
“Yeah, I’m just cranky,” I lie.
“Hmmm,” he says setting me down.
He pulls the blanket off my head and looks down at me. His blue-green eyes are so full of love and compassion it makes me feel like crying. I just want to hold him and never let go. He sits on the edge of the bed and lets his hand caress my cheek
“What’s bothering you?” he asks, searching my eyes for an answer.
“Nothing, I just don’t feel like being social right now,” I say shrugging weakly.
“Don’t lie to me. Something has been bothering you,” he says lowering his face so its closer to mine.
“Dom, you should probably go back out there,” I say softly, hating myself for telling him to leave.
“I don’t want to. I’m worried, something has been bothering you, and I want to know what,” he says sitting back up and running his hands through his hair.
“Dom, there’s nothing wrong. How could there be? Mike’s out of my life, you’re here, I’ve got a wonderful job, wonderful friends. Everything is perfect,” I say smiling.
“Yeah?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I nod.
He smiles and plants a kiss on my forehead before leaving me alone in the bed room. I rollover onto my side and curl my knees up to my stomach, thinking of the baby that just might be forming there.

[Nobody The Calico]

(Goodbye Mom)

I wake up in a panic. Something is wrong, I just know it.
“Marilyn?” Dom’s sleep filled voice is there.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“Are you alright?” he asks.
“Yeah, everything is fine. Go back to sleep,” I tell him.
He rolls over and closes his eyes again.
I watch him for a moment then slide out of bed. I glance over my shoulder at him as I tiptoe out of the bedroom. I make my way to the living room and look for the phone. I find it on the coffee table where Dom must have left it last night.
I scoop it up and dial in Misty’s cell number. It rings twice before she picks up.
“Hello?” her voice is tired.
I glance over at the clock. It’s seven in the morning. She’s usually up by now.
“Hey, is everything okay??” I ask.
“Marilyn?” She asks.
“Yeah,” I answer.
“Oh god, Marilyn. It’s Mom,” her voice is panicked.
“What?” I ask.
“She had a heart attack,” she says.
My heart jumps. My mom. I haven’t seen her yet, not since that fight about me moving a crossed the country.
“Oh god… no… is she?” I ask my voice cracks with every word as tears that have hidden themselves come pouring.
“No! She’s still alive, just… barley. The doctors don’t think she’ll last much longer,” she says.
“Where??” I ask.
“Where what?” she asks, puzzled.
“Where are you?” I ask, stumbling into the kitchen.
“Oh! Santa Monica Public Hospital,” she answers.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes,” I say hanging up.
I rush into the bed room and grab my jeans from last night.
“Dom! Dom, wake up,” I call, my voice tear filled as the tears streak down my face.
“Hmmm? What?” He asks rolling over.
“Dom! Get up. I need to go to the hospital,” I cry, pulling a bra on under my night shirt.
“What?! What’s wrong?” he asks sitting up.
“My mom is in the hospital, I need to go now!” I cry, pulling my shoes on.
He pulls a pair of jeans over his boxers and grabs a shirt as I grab the keys and run for the door. He follows me and starts the car. We don’t bother locking the door on the house, no time. I tell him what hospital to go to and sink against the window.
He drives me in silence. I think he’s still waking up. I rest my head against the window and let my mind wander back to my last encounter with my mother.
It was years ago. She was trying to talk me out of moving away. She said she’d miss me too much. She said she loved me, she didn’t want me to be so far. I was stupid. I told her she was only trying to keep me from being happy. I told her to fuck off and to leave me alone. I said a lot of things that never should have been thought.
“Hey, you okay?” Dom’s voice shatters my silent brooding as we park.
“I don’t know,” I say getting out of the car.
He grabs my hand and squeezes it reassuringly as we walk a crossed the rain splattered parking lot. I sniff a couple times and wipe away my shed tears. I force myself to stop crying. Dom doesn’t say anything as I do this.
We walk through the large door of the hospital. We march straight up to the front desk and I look down at the gray haired nurse sitting there.
“Good morning, can I help the two of you?” she asks.
“I’m here to see my mother. She was brought in earlier this morning, a heart attack,” I say,
“What’s her name dear?” she asks lifting up a chart.
“Brittany Tomas,” I answer.
She scans the list then looks up at me, “Room 317, dear.”
“Thank you,” I say softly, leading Dom to the elevators.
I push the button repeatedly until Dom pulls my hand away and holds it. The elevator comes and we climb in. I hit the 3 button and watch the elevator doors close. The elevator creeps up slowly, seeming to take hours to finally reach the third floor. I chew the inside of my bottom lip and watch the floor numbers turn green as slowly as possible.
When the door opens on the third floor I pull Dom out as fast as possible and search for the room. Room three seventeen is a single room, with pale blue walls and puffy white clouds painted everywhere.
But my mind isn’t on the room, it’s on the woman lying in the hospital bed. Her short blonde hair is graying. Her once beautifully tanned skin is like a wrinkled sheet of white paper. Lines that weren’t there before crease her once angel like face. Her eyes are closed, her breathing is deep and slow. A machine on the left beeps out her heart rate, another pumps air into her lungs- breathing for her. An IV on the right drips slowly, delivering clear liquid into her thin arm.
“Oh god,” I mumble, sinking against Dom.
I cover my mouth and close my eyes. Dom wraps his arms around me and holds me close to him. I hold my breath, trying to keep myself from breaking and falling apart right there in the hospital.
“Marilyn?” Misty’s voice reaches my ears and my eyes fly open.
She’s behind us, a bottle of water in one hand and a bag of M&Ms in the other.
“Oh, Misty!” I rush to her and hug her tightly.
Dom stands back and watches as I hold her tightly. She drops her head to my shoulder and cries. I let her. I let her tears soak the shirt I’d worn to bed last night. I rub her back soothingly and let her cry until she can’t.
When she’s done she sniffs a few times and looks at me, “I’ll let you talk to her.”
“Can she hear me?” I ask.
“The doctors said she could. But she can’t respond,” she answers, “She’s in a sort of coma. Shock.”
“Oh. I… I thought Mom said she didn’t want to be put on machines…” I look over at the machines hooked to our poor mother.
“I know. But I wanted you to have a chance to say goodbye,” she answers.
I nod slowly, and she leads Dom out into the hall. I turn and face the poor woman in the bed. She doesn’t look anything like the mother I remember.
My mom was always full of happiness. She smiled constantly. She was always joking around and having fun. She was a very happy person.
I pull a chair up next to the bed and prop my elbows on the edge of the bed. I rest my chin in my hands and listen to the steady beeps if the monitor.
“Mom?” I ask, my voice cracking, “I’m sorry. You were right. I shouldn’t have gone with Mike. He… he was abusive. He… he really screwed me up. But now… now everything is fine. I’m with this amazing man that loves me. I mean really loves me, the way Dad loved you. He… he’s really helped me. I love him. And… I…”
I glance over my shoulder to make sure that no one is in the room. The door is closed, Dom and Misty are no one to be seen. I stand up and lean over her.
“I think I might be pregnant. I don’t know though. I haven’t really had any signs. I’ve been getting sick a lot, but other than that there’s nothing to clue me in. I’m scared. I mean, I know he loves me and that he’d definitely take care of the baby... but… I don’t want to have a baby,” my voice is just above a whisper, “I don’t want to risk messing everything up. It’s going so well. I… I’m scared.”
I sit down as a lump forms in my throat. I swallow a few times before continuing, “I’m going to the doctor in a week. I’ll know then,” I pause for a moment before trusting my voice again, “I’m really sorry I didn’t come and see you. I’ve been here for a long time. Half a year or so. I think I was scared to see you. To tell you what happened. Now I know I was just being foolish. I should have come and seen you. I love you Mommy. I’ll miss you.”
I kiss her forehead and walk out of the room. Dom is right there. He holds me close to him as my tears start up again. I bury my face in the fabric of his shirt and hide. I stand there like that, in his arms, for a few minutes before I can control myself. Finally I turn to Misty and hug her.
“I don’t want to be here when you do it,” I say.
“Alright, you should leave then,” she says.
I nod, “She wanted to be cremated, right?”
“Yeah, I think it would be best to keep her at my house,” she says, looking at the floor.
“I agree. Call me later, alright,” I sniffle.
“Yeah,” she nods.
I kiss her cheek and let Dom lead me away. We sit in the car silently until I let out a soft giggle.
“What?” he asks.
“I’m going to be fine, did you know that?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think I did,” he answers starting the car.



(The End)



Everything flies for the next week.
The service for my mother is beautiful. Misty reads a poem she wrote for mom one mothers day years ago. I tell everyone about how I hadn’t seen mom since I’d moved and how I wish I had listened to her. Abby sings a song that my mom always used to listen to.
Max gave me a couple days off to grieve. I thanked him, but went to work anyways. I don’t think I could have handled staying home and thinking about Mom.
Dom tries to stay with me as much as he can, but his schedule is impossible. He has too many meetings to stay home when I’m home. But I don’t mind. I don’t mind that he can’t spend every second of the day with me. I’m glad he can’t. I might loose my mind if he could.
Now though.
Now I’m at the doctor’s office. My period is late and the home pregnancy test is positive. I’m scared to death. I’m waiting for my results. The doctor left me in the examining room to wait.
I’m sitting on the cold examining table- or bed as she called it- my mind racing. I’m scared and nervous. The results of the home test have turned my insides to ice. I threw up when I found out those results. I cried for an hour. Luckily Dom wasn’t home.
If I am pregnant, I think Dom would be pleased. I don’t know. I don’t want to know. I want to find out that the test was wrong. That I was one of the .1% of women that get a faulty test.
I don’t think I could handle a child at this point in my life. I know I couldn’t. I know that it would destroy me.
My back is sore as hell from sitting straight for so long. I think my ass fell asleep a year ago. I keep crossing and uncrossing my arms. I keep twirling my hair and biting my nails. Every nervous habit I have is coming into play. I chew my lip till it bleeds. I chew the inside of my cheek until blood fills my mouth. The coppery, salty taste of warm blood fills my mouth, but I keep biting the tender flesh of my cheek.
I think I might throw up again. My stomach is full of a fluttering heavy foreboding feeling. Nothing like I’ve ever felt before. I’m nervous and scared at the same time. I don’t like this.
“Miss Tomas?” the door opens and the Asian doctor comes back in.
“The results came in,” she says looking at her chart.
“And?” I ask.
“And you’re not pregnant. The test you took at home must have been faulty, your results came back negative,” she answers.
“Oh thank God!” I cry.
Relief floods me. I’m numb and then relaxed and then completely happy in a spilt second. Everything is alright. Nothing is going to change. My life is going to stay the same. I’m safe.
“Oh thank you so much!” I say hopping off the table and hugging her.
She stares at me a little shocked before letting me leave. Laura and Katie are in the waiting room. Laura is flipping through a magazine impatiently. Katie is reading a book she’d brought a long.
I watch the two of them for a moment, very glad I’d brought them with me. I don’t think I could have come without two such wonderful friends to support me. I never thought I would have wonderful friends to lean on before. Not when I was with Mike.
“It’s negative!” I squeal.
“Oh my god! You’re not?” Laura squeals, jumping up, casting the magazine aside.
I shake my head happily. She and Katie hug me tightly as I smile broadly.
“Dom is not to know about this,” I say, pulling away from them, suddenly extremely serious.
“I’m a vault. The secret dies with me,” Katie says.
“No a word,” Laura confirms.
“Thank you guys for coming down here with me,” I say smiling as we walk outside.
The bright California sun shines down on us. I smile and flip my sunglasses down onto my nose. No day in the history of my life has been so relieving.
Laura’s cell phone rings impatiently as we walk, “Hello?... Hey Dom.. yeah.. she’s right here.”
I take the phone from her happily, “Hey, honey.”
“You sound happy,” he says with a smile in his voice.
“I’m thrilled,” I answer.
“Why? What happened?” his question makes me giggle.
That’s something for me to know. Not him.
“I’m in love with a gorgeous wonderful man. And have two wonderful best friends, and am living a fairy tale life,” I answer.
He laughs, “Well, I am glad you enjoy me… and you’re friends, of course. What are you up to?”
“Just hanging out with Katie and Laura,” I answer as we come to the curb. I keep walking, not bothering to look up at the crossing signal.
“Oh, when are you going to be home?” he asks.
“Marilyn! Look out!” Katie’s voice catches my attention.
I turn in time to see the truck. The truck that plows me to the ground. Pain explodes everywhere. My head feels like it’s exploding. Flashes of light fill my vision. I’m flying through the air. I hit the concrete hard. My arm breaks as I land.
Squealing tires, someone crying, yelling. The sounds flood me suddenly. I open my eyes and see people crowding around me. Laura and Katie. They’re right there, crying asking me questions. I can’t hear them. I can only hear sounds.
I blink, pain shoots a crossed my head when I blink. I grimace, but that hurts to. I realize then that everything hurts. My legs. My stomach. My chest. My head. My back. My arms.
The pain in overwhelming. It’s too much. I know the cold reality.
I’m dead.
I’m not making it out of this. I’m done for. After everything, this is what kills me. This is the ending of my life. The happiest day of my life is going to be the end.
I can see Misty when we were younger. Mom and Dad. Gramps and Grams. My first friend. My first baby chick. My first kiss. My first date. Mike. My first car. Graduation. Moving. Mike, hurting me. Leaving him. Dom. That first time I ever saw. Him. Misty and Abby. Elijah and Laura. Katie and Billy. Orli. Sean and Christine. Dom.
I open my eyes and find Katie and Laura.
“Tell everyone goodbye for me,” I say.
It hurts to talk. It hurts to breath.
“No! Marilyn! No! Stay with us! The ambulance is on it’s way!” Katie’s voice fills me head.
I know better. It won’t get here in time. Not with LA traffic.
I smile and let go.