(31) International House of Pancakes

Chloe arrived from St. Louis earlier than Mimi expected. Mimi sat up on the couch as Chloe dropped her overnight bag near the doorway. Chloe’s face lit up when she noticed the bouquet of roses on the coffee table. “Are those for me?” she asked anxiously.

Mimi shook her head. “Actually, they’re for me.”

Chloe took a seat next to Mimi on the couch. She leaned down to sniff the arrangement. “They’re beautiful,” she said softly. “Who are they from?”

Mimi hesitated before claiming they were from Brett.

Chloe eyed her in disbelief, “Brett bought you flowers? You’re kidding, right? I thought it was supposed to be some kind of miracle if he’s even generous enough to buy you a value meal at Taco Bell.”

Mimi pulled up her blanket, “We had a fight.”

“Must have been a real big one.”

“It was,” Mimi replied, feeding further into the lie.

Chloe stood up and went into the kitchen. Mimi cringed when she saw Chloe open the freezer. She scanned the contents frantically. “WHERE is my Ben and Jerry’s?” she asked curtly.

Mimi stood up to explain. She grimaced went Chloe shot her a cold glare. “I’m sorry, I ate it. I couldn’t help it. I was going to replace it today, but you came back early…”

“MIMI!”

“CHLOE, I’ll replace it.”

“You better…with interest. I’ll take two to replace my one.”

Mimi gaped at her, “Are we a little dependent on our ice cream addiction or what?”

Chloe shrugged and reached into the fridge to grab a root beer. “I’ve been thinking about it all morning that’s all.”

Mimi muttered “Sheesh,” and walked into the kitchen to toast a bagel.

Chloe sat on the counter and watched Mimi slather cream cheese on her bagel. “So, did anyone call for me this weekend,” she asked nonchalantly.

Mimi gave her a sidelong glance, “You mean Jason?”

Chloe sipped her drink, “Yeah, Jason, or anyone else.”

Mimi grabbed a napkin, “No, he didn’t call. In fact no one called this weekend. For awhile there, I was starting to think the phone was shut off.”

Chloe frowned, “I guess that goes to show...”

Mimi bit into her bagel and mumbled, “Sorry to disappoint.”

“Forget it, it’s nothing,” Chloe breathed in disappointment. She hopped off the counter, “I’ve got to shower, unpack, and I’m STARVING. You want to go out for a late breakfast?”

Mimi declined, “Bagel’s good enough for me.” She warned Chloe before entering the bedroom, “Belle’s in there. You know how she is on the weekends with her sleeping marathon.”

Chloe cracked her bedroom door open to find Belle in a deep sleep on her futon. Chloe smiled- Belle’s sleeping profile had an eery resemblance to Brady. She crept in quietly and grabbed a clean change of clothes and headed for the shower. Afterwards, she returned to the living room.

Mimi was in the middle of cleaning the living room: opening the blinds, folding blankets, and picking up trash. The phone rang as soon as Chloe entered the room. Mimi rolled her eyes, “See, its’ like they know when you and Ginny are here.” She checked the caller ID and felt her heart drop when the display read Brady’s personal line. Mimi picked up the phone and handed it to Chloe, “It’s for you,” she muttered.

Mimi continued to eavesdrop from the kitchen.

“It was ok, the photographer was pretty cool….She’s still asleep…uh huh, she’s right here too….Yes, I’m starving….Ok, I’ll see you in a little bit.”

Chloe hung up the phone, “That was Brady, he’s coming over to pick up Belle and take us out to breakfast.”

“I’m not going,” Mimi answered quickly.

“Why not?” Chloe whined.

“I’ve got things to do. Like shopping for Christmas decorations and spending time with Conner.”

Chloe shrugged, “Suit yourself. But I still think you should go. Brady asked about you.”

Mimi reached for her cigarettes and walked to the balcony, “Oh well,” she hollered. She breathed in the cool winter air. She was still apprehensive about seeing Brady. Sure, she had been yearning for him, but his knight in shining armor play made things even more confusing. His protectiveness, the flowers…it frightened her. It all came too soon and unexpectedly.

She wasn’t used to him being that way. He was always so flirtatious and somewhat cocky, mocking her innuendo. Up to last night, it had been fun and light. Last night, for the first time, they mutually connected. And it gave her the chills to have someone know her wants and needs without even saying so.

She returned to the living room after stubbing her cigarette out. Ginny was working her way through the door with Paulie in tow, carrying her luggage. Chloe stood up to take a load off Paulie. Mimi stared suspiciously at the animal carrier Ginny was carrying. She and Chloe gasped when Ginny opened the door of the carrier and a Himalayan cat plopped down to the floor.

“Uhhh, how was your aunt’s funeral?” Mimi asked awkwardly, trying to ignore the feline at her feet.

Ginny shrugged and motioned Paulie to take her bags to her bedroom. “It was sad. She and I were close you know. She adored me.”

“Who is this?” Chloe asked, pointing to the Himalayan.

Ginny picked up the cat and snuggled her, “This is Igea, my late aunt’s cat.”

“Oh,” Chloe commented flatly. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. She hated cats. First she had to endure Mimi’s unexpected smoking habit, now a feline. She was half tempted to go out and by a St. Bernard just to be smart. She gave the cat a cool glare. It hissed at her instinctively. Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise. Ginny looked at Chloe, “You don’t like cats do you? She can tell. Cat’s are very instinctive.”

Chloe rolled her eyes and went to sit on the couch. The cat wasn’t on the scene two minutes and already it was making her look like a bitch. Chloe suspected she and “Igea” would be having a few choice words later down the road, ALONE. Amazingly, the cat was very receptive to Mimi, to whom she purred loudly when Mimi stroked her lovingly.

Paulie returned from Ginny’s bedroom. Ginny thanked him for picking her up from the airport and dropping her off. Paulie smiled modestly and ensured her that was his job. Mimi offered Paulie a drink. He accepted one for the road- he was meeting Mr. V in Chicago in less than an hour. Mimi gave him a sly grin as she handed him a Pepsi. If Belle only knew who was here….

Mimi blushed when she heard her bedroom door open. Oh God, this was just too perfect. Belle padded into the kitchen area, haggard looking from oversleeping, oblivious to her surroundings. She walked right past Paulie as she rubbed her eyes and mumbled, “What time is it?”

Mimi stifled a giggle as Paulie checked out Belle in all her noontime “morning glory.”

Belle glared at Mimi, “What’s so funny?”

Mimi looked over Belle’s shoulder to Paulie who was clearly amused by Belle’s puffy eyed state.

Belle turned around to find Paulie staring down at her in his gorgeous grin. The color faded from her as she sucked in her breath in an audible wheeze of humiliation. She covered her face and groaned, “Oh my God, this is so embarrassing” before stumbling backwards.

Mimi decided to rub it in even more, “Paulie came over just to get a nice whiff of your morning breath.”

“MIMI!!!” Chloe and Ginny chimed in unison. Poor Belle was beyond embarrassment.

Belle pulled her sweatshirt over her face, unknowingly flashing Paulie a peek of her tanned bare abdomen. She turned around as she fumbled backwards out of the kitchen, “Oh my God, don’t look at me, PLEASE don’t look at me.”

Mimi broke into a fit of giggles once her bedroom door was shut. Paulie looked at Chloe and innocently asked, “What was that all about?”

Chloe smiled and cocked her head, “She was just embarrassed. Most girls don’t like to be seen first thing in the morning before we get all beautiful, if you know what I mean.”

Paulie shrugged, “Tell her she looked fine to me.”

Chloe gave an admiring awwww as Mimi cheered Paulie on with a “She wants you Paulie, go get her!”

Paulie blushed and said good bye to the girls. He smiled to himself as he passed by the bedroom Belle retreated to. He gave a polite wave to Mimi’s silly “Bye Kermit the Frog!” on the way out the door.

Mimi shrieked and ran to the bedroom. She found Belle moping on Chloe’s bed.

“MIMI!” she wailed. “Why did you tell me he was here?”

“I thought you were still sleeping!” Mimi insisted.

“Do you have any idea how EMBARRASSING that was?”

“Belle, it was no big deal.”

“No big deal? I look awful. How could you do that to me???”

Mimi sat next to her, “Relax Belle, he said you looked beautiful.”

“He did not,” she panicked. “I still can’t believe this. I’ll never be able to look at him again! Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

“Because it’s against the law. Besides, I had no idea when Ginny was coming home.”

Belle waved her hands and headed for the bathroom, “Whatever. I’m taking a shower.”

The doorbell rang.

Mimi gulped. “Chloe, can you get that?” her voice quivered. She closed her door slightly and started to pace. Her heart raced when she heard Brady’s voice. She prayed he wouldn’t try to see her. Normally when he came over, he sought her out right away in a playful headlock before a clean round of flirtatious cuddling and movie watching.

Chloe barged into the room, “Brady’s here.”

“Belle’s in the shower,” Mimi explained.

“Ok,” Chloe answered, surprised to find Mimi pouting.

Mimi glanced into the living room and noticed Brady. He met her eyes. She looked away quickly and avoided his gaze. She stood up, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to change.” Chloe shrugged and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

************************

“What’s her problem?” Brady asked.

“I don’t know,” Chloe retorted. “Are we still going to eat or what?”

Brady nodded, “Yeah, we’ll wait until Belle’s ready to go.”

“I got a craving,” Chloe said, sitting on the couch, admiring the bouquet Brady sent to Mimi. She plucked out of the roses and sniffed it adoringly. “International House of Pancakes, is that ok?”

Brady took a seat next to her and played ignorant, “Nice flowers.”

“They’re Mimi’s,” Chloe explained, returning the stem to the vase.

“Really,” he said in disbelief. “What the occasion?”

“I guess she and Brett got into a really bad fight. He sent them for forgiveness or whatever.”

Brady sat back, disgusted. “Did it work?” he asked softly.

Chloe looked over her shoulder to him, “Knowing Mimi, probably.”

Brady eyed the bouquet, suddenly filled with foolish regret. “I’m sure you’re right.”

Chloe relayed the details of her weekend. Brady listened intently, masking his irritation. Once Belle emerged, he put the rush on to leave. “We’re going to IHOP. You coming?”

Belle shook her head and reached for her coat, “Just drop me off at home. I need to work out.”

Brady watched Mimi pass by him to go to the kitchen. She was deliberately ignoring him. He grew even more appalled when she singled Belle and Chloe out in a goodbye- excluded him as if he wasn’t even there.

“Let’s go,” he said, infuriated. He led the way out the door.

Mimi watched the trio cross the parking lot from the living room window. She thought feeling afraid was bad- this was much worse.

**********************

Chloe spent the entire drive tuned into Brady’s unusual bout of gloomy silence. One thing was for sure- he didn’t arrive at the apartment that way. Tempted to push it aside, she couldn’t resist bringing it up. “Ok, something happened, what is it?”

Brady hesitated and turned his hat backwards. He looked around and tapped his fingers against his lips, nonchalantly confessing, “Old girl and I had a little… lip lock encounter.”

Chloe smiled and raised an eyebrow, “Ahhhh, I see.”

Brady sunk lower in the booth, “It was nothing. Fuck it.”

Chloe leaned across the table, “That’s all you have to say? Fuck it?”

“You saw how she acted when I came over.”

Chloe frowned, “No kidding. Why do you suppose?”

“Mimi’s got issues.”

“Oh come on.”

“She can run back to Brett over and over again after all the stupid shit he puts her through, and yet she can’t even look me in the eye.”

“Maybe she’s just nervous.”

“She isn’t too nervous around Brett now is she?”

“Apples and oranges my dear.” Chloe assured him.

Chloe took a sip of her hot cocoa and weighed on his words. She set her cup down when her instincts kicked in, “Brady, did you send Mimi the flowers?”

Brady met her inquiring eyes, “What did I just say?”

“A lot!”

“No, I said ‘Fuck it’, and I meant it.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. Besides, the chances of Brett doing that are nil.”

Brady declined to admit the truth. But Chloe knew otherwise, “They are so beautiful Brady. Mimi loves them.”

“Eat your pancakes!”

“They’re not here yet!”

“Sure they are,” Brady said with a smile as the waitress arrived on cue with their order.

*****************

Philip entered the front door the IHOP. He waited until the hostess led him to a table near the window. He cringed when he saw Chloe and Brady across the room, engaged in discussion. He removed his coat and sat it next to him.

Brady was smiling.

Chloe was smiling.

Brady laughed.

Chloe laughed.

Philip thought it was a perfect moment to say hello. With an encouraging jolt of adrenalin, he waved his way over to their booth. He gave Brady a cool nod and smirked to Chloe. “How’s it going?” he asked, enjoying her sudden discomfort.

Chloe swallowed and wiped her mouth, “It’s going good. You?”

Philip gave an exaggerated smile, “Fabulous. Fancy seeing you here.”

Chloe cleared her throat. Philip actually introduced her to IHOP. They ate there together on a regular basis during their courtship. They shared memories of the place- lots. She took another bite of her pancakes.

“Care to join us?” Brady offered politely although he sensed the tension.

“No thanks, I got a table,” Philip answered.

“Some other time then,” Brady answered, somewhat sarcastic.

“I’m waiting for Jan,” Philip shot back confidently.

Chloe’s eyes bulged, “So you’re with her now,” she mumbled through a mouthful.

Philip tapped the table, “Something like that. She and I understand each other.”

“Wow, I envy you,” she teased.

“You don’t know her,” Philip remarked.

“So I’ve heard,” Chloe grunted, sick of the familiar excuse.

Philip glanced over to the entrance. His guest had just arrived. He tapped their table, “I’ll see you kids later.”

Brady gave him a wave. Chloe sat still, afraid to look behind her.

Jan was all smiles as she worked her way through the restaurant towards Philip. Her face fell as her gaze fell upon a familiar set of tresses. Philip attempted to block her view and divert her attention. “Thanks for coming…” he began.

“Is that Chloe you were talking to?”

Philip grabbed her shoulders and turned her around, “Our table is right over here.”

Jan stopped and pushed him aside, “Excuse me a second.”

“Jan, no confrontations, all right? I took care of that already. Let’s just eat.”

“She’s with some guy. Who is that…oh my God, it’s Brady Black. Damn, that girl moves quick. Or do you suppose she was screwing around with him too?”

“Jan!” he grunted through gritted teeth, “Don’t!”

Jan released Philip’s grip and marched right over to Brady and Chloe’s table. Philip followed her, the actions before him un-whirling in a sick slow motion.

Chloe looked up to the intruder.

Jan flashed a devil grin to Chloe after bidding a slight greeting to Brady.

Jan proceeded to dump the contents of Chloe’s plate in her lap…

Followed by a quick splash of orange juice to her face.

Could it possibly get worse? Apparently so.

A manager emerged from the woodwork of pancake-dom, quick to address to offender.

Philip’s ears rang with Jan’s shameless screaming and finger pointing. “FUCK YOU! And FUCK YOU!!!!!” She grabbed Chloe’s water glass and emptied the contents on her face, rinsing away the orange juice.” And then, to top it off, Jan turned to the manager and yelled, “FUCK YOU, Your food SUCKS!!!!!”

The dining room roared in curious silence.

Philip was completely mortified- beyond comprehension.

He turned on his heels and marched to the throb of his pounding head straight out the door.

*******************

He heard the small footstep racing after him. He ignored them and de-activated the security alarm on his roadster.

“PHILIP!!!” Jan cried.

He kept walking until he reached his door. He opened it and attempted to sit inside.

Jan hovered over him. “Philip stop, where are you going?”

“Where the hell do you think I’m going?” he yelled back to her. “Do you realize that because of YOU, I can never set foot in there again?”

“Philip, wait!”

“Get away from my car! You are just sick, you know that? You are completely demented. I can’t believe I actually thought you could be decent!” he let out a groan, ashamed of his blind trust.

Jan leaned down, “Philip listen to me.”

Philip turned on his ignition, “You need to see a doctor. But in the meantime, stay the fuck away from me.”

“Philip!”

“I’m serious. I have NEVER had anybody embarrass me as much as you did right now.”

“Philip I’m sorry.”

“Like hell you are. You’re like some animal out of control.”

“I’m sorry.”

“If you’re so sorry, then go in there and apologize to Chloe and the manager.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Cuz he threw my out?”

“No fucking wonder Jan. Still, you will apologize to Chloe.”
Jan shook her head, “Absolutely not.”

“WHY?”

“BECAUSE SHE NEVER APOLOGIZED FOR STEALING MY BOYFRIEND!!”

Philip shook his head and looked up to his rearview mirror. “Well don’t ever expect one, so get over it. It’s over, it’s done. So quit acting like a lunatic and press on.”

“Philip, don’t leave.”

“I’m out of here,” he replied irritably, shutting his door. He backed his car up.

Jan watched him go for a brief second before racing to her own car. And vowing to catch up with him.

********************

Philip got out of his car in the mansion’s driveway. Jan’s car pulled up right next to his and she jumped out just as he was walking past her. He tried to ignore her, but she stood in his way.

“Philip I’m sorry, ok? I’m really sorry. Can’t we just have a nice breakfast or lunch together? Please. Believe it or not, I’m a really good cook. I can cook you something, you have to trust me. Come on, let me cook for you.”

Philip shook his head firmly, “I’ll just have lunch inside with Henderson.”

“Come on Philip,” she begged, touching his shoulders.

“No! Get it through your head, I don’t want your company,” he insisted, brushing past her.

In an overly dramatic display of desperation, she knelt to her knees. “Philip, Your LORDSHIP, please grant me the honor of indulging you in the finest cuisine. Please, your LORDSHIP, LORD PHILIP?”

Philip stopped in his tracks and turned around. His initial reaction was, What was wrong with her? And then seeing Jan on her knees of the cold pavement, her eyes sad and pleading, he realized it wasn’t an act of manipulation. It was the act of someone very desperate and very, very…LONELY.

He could actually emphasize with her, for he had been there many times in his life. He rolled his eyes visibly and groaned to the sky. Jan remained on her knees, anticipating his reply. Philip stuck his hands in his pockets and surrendered. He blew out a breath and walked towards her, “You’re lucky I’m real hungry.”

Jan popped up, face beaming. “You won’t regret this, I promise. Look at you, your such a pal. What do you want? Huh? I’ll cook you anything you want. We’ve got every cook book you can think of!”

Philip shrugged and strolled to the passenger side of Jan’s car. “I don’t know, surprise me…”