(14) Impulse

Chloe rose on a Sunday morning just before dawn. She spent the previous evening at Philip’s house watching movies in his bedroom. He finally took her home around eleven, irritably noting what a lousy date she was. She gave him a weak kiss good night and mumbled an apology before retreating to her bed for the night. Admittedly, she was a bad date: she was tired and not in the mood to make-out, be felt up, or begged for more. She was quiet most of the night and fell asleep half-way through the morning. She was content for simple cuddling.

Philip’s recent bout of insecurity was becoming unbearable. He asked her early in the evening, “What’s wrong?” It was like a broken record these days. She politely insisted that there was nothing wrong. But he had it in his head that there was, and became annoying in the process. She snapped when he brought it up the second time that night “Philip! How many times do I have to tell you I’m FINE?”

“Mimi! Oh my God! What are you doing here?”

“I forgot where I lived.”

“How long have you been out here? It’s freezing.”

“I don’t know.”

“Hurry, come inside to get warm.”

“Chloe I am so sorry. This is humiliating”

“It’s ok Mimi. Craig and Nancy aren’t awake yet. We’ll sneak up to my room quietly.”

Mimi nodded and allowed Chloe to help her upstairs. Chloe grabbed a pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt for Mimi to change into. She grabbed the warmest blanket she could find in the hall closet and brought it to Mimi. “Here, wrap yourself up in this. I’ll warm up some tea for you.”

Mimi nodded, still shivering. She grabbed a pillow and lay on the floor next the heating vent.

Chloe returned shortly afterwards with two mugs of herbal tea. Mimi sat up, cupping the mug gratefully. “I sweetened it with honey,” Chloe sat as she sat down next to Mimi. Mimi sipped the warm tea sleepily. She regarded Chloe suspiciously, “Why are you being so nice to me?” Chloe set her mug down and hugged her calves. “What did you expect me to do, leave you out there?”

Mimi shook her head, “No, I guess not.”

Chloe waited awhile until asking the ultimate question, “Mimi, what happened?”

Mimi pulled her blanket around her tighter, “I guess I owe you that much.” Mimi nodded towards Chloe’s bed to relocate. Chloe agreed and stood up. Mimi laid on top of Chloe’s bed wrapped snugly in the blanket. Chloe pulled up a chair next to the bed, anxiously waiting for the story. Mimi set her cup on Chloe’s dresser. “It’s no big deal really. I was with Brett, his roommate, and his girlfriend last night. I got trashed Chloe. I mean REALLY trashed. I barely remember anything actually. I remember fighting with Brett and then his roommate and girlfriend were going to take me home. I remember driving around all over the place because I was all disoriented, thinking of my old house, then the time I spent here. I must have insisted that they not take me to my parent’s new house, so probably why I ended up here.”

“You mean they just left you on our porch? My God Mimi, how long have you been out there. It’s below freezing out there.”

“I don’t know for sure. Not that long. A couple hours maybe.”

“Mimi! Are you frost bitten?”

Mimi shook her head, “I don’t think so. My fingers and toes are killing me.”

“Good, so you’re not numb then. Mimi, I can’t believe they just left you lying there in the cold.”

“I’m sure they knocked on the door at least.”

“Yeah, but still. What would have happened if I didn’t find you this early?”

“Chloe, it’s barely 6am. Why are you up this early anyway?”

“I was in the mood for a run. I was a sleepy bum last night. I got restless around 4:30 so I finally woke up around 5:15.”

“Yeah, Brady was saying that you’re hooked on that shit now.”