Back in Black (and Gold)

I know I know I know.  It has been almost four long months.  I bet you never thought you would see me again.  That I had been lost in the abyss that is LA.  Happily, I can inform you that I am alive, if not a little the worse for wear.  I am back for keeps this time.  So much has happened a full recap would be excruciating.  So here it is in brief: the highlights:

JANUARY

After the episode with Margot my head was a mess.  I confessed all to Cecilia and Ruth while I was in Northern California for the holidays.   Where do I go from here?  Ruth was adamant that I talk to Margot, explain that it just wasn’t appropriate, and although I was very attracted to her, I just couldn’t go “there” because of work.  Cecilia was less black and white I could tell but she didn’t want to rock Ruth’s boat.  In any case, neither were very helpful.

I wanted Margot.  That was that.  But there was something I saw in her eyes that night, the eyes that initially drew me to her.  When she talked about “sleeping my way to the top” it didn’t seem like a joke.  There was something sinister in her eyes...even malicious.  I saw a darkness that could easily chew me up and spit me out, both physically and emotionally.  And career-wise.  Yet I knew I was already in too deep.  I couldn’t quit my job.  I couldn’t even quit Margot.

Originally I had planned on doing a San Francisco New Years with Ruth and C, except after a week up North I was suffocating.  So I convinced them to do a mini vacation.  We bumped my flight to LA up earlier and bought them last minute cheap seats, and hopped a flight, a heavily sedated Cat Called Wanda in tow (yes she finally made the move, I convinced the roomies!).  When we arrived at LAX New Year’s Eve morning it was about ten degrees warmer, and I was able to breathe ten times easier.

The girls checked into their penthouse at Chateau Marmont (I know right?  the beauty of Cecilia’s absentee parents is the guilty money they fling at her each holiday season).  What then followed was of course a ridiculous weekend with the girls as well as Kim, Leah, and even the usually M.I.A. Andi.

I finally returned to work after a long vacation.  Things where awkward with Margot.  I couldn’t look her in the eye...which probably was for the best.  She was utterly professional however, and pretended the whole thing had never happened.  However, I have once again been relegated to silent coffee fetcher and reader, much to Karen’s delight.  I have been keeping my head down and doing my work.  There is unfinished business here but I just can’t deal with it at the moment.  

FEBRUARY

For once in my life I got off work early.  Ruth was in town (minus Cecilia) for a work conference.  When I unlocked the door I was greeted by Kim (of course) who flung herself immediately into my arms, tears streaming down her cheeks, A Cat Called Wanda in her arms.  A muffled meow rang out in protest between our bodies.  Ruth was close behind her.

Oh jesus Louise I am so glad you are home early!  Andi left!  She just fucking left!  We are over!  Like WTF?  Kim blubbered.

Her face was red and blotchy; her light blue eyes huge, the whites tinged pink as she looked at me, glazed over in sadness.

What happened Kim?

She just said she was done!  She said she wasn’t happy.  I don’t fucking know.  She already moved her shit.  How will I even afford this place without her?  I am so fucking fucked!

Ok calm down.  We will figure out the money.  We will figure this out.  You were too good for the bitch anyway.  Here is what you need to do: go get in the bath.  I am bringing you booze.  Then come with us to Voyeur, and we are going to paint the town pink with Ruth.  Ok?

Kim sniffed and nodded.  I took her hand, leading her down the hall to the first bathroom, where I turned on the hot water in huge claw-foot tub while pouring in a generous amount of bubbles.

Get in.  I’ll be back.  I went to the bathroom and grabbed a bottle of Stoli out of the freezer, and three glasses of rocks.  Ruth followed me, smiling slightly.

What are you all happy about?

Oh I got promoted today.  But it means I have to move.  To LA.

I set down the glasses abruptly.  No shit!   

And it looks like you are going to need someone to take up the slack in rent...

NO SHIT!  Ok and you know this means Cecilia is going to be down here in a heartbeat.

Exactly.  Okay 5 second celebration and then let’s go take care of Kim.

We jumped up and down screaming silently, holding hands like little girls and then stopped, took deep breaths, and returned to the bathroom.  Ruth took a seat on the toilet and I leaned on the edge of the sink.  Kim was in bubbles up to her chin, sniffling still, but the hysterical tears had stopped.  I poured her a generous vodka, and smaller ones for myself and Ruth.

Where’s Leah?  I asked, never knowing where the enigmatic roommate had gone.

She went home to New York last week (ahh makes sense!) but she is back.  I don’t know where she is though.

Does she know about you and Andi?

Kim sniffled (oops!) No.  It just happened this morning.  I woke up and....and...she was already packed!  Kim burst into another round of sobs and I pointed to her glass of vodka which she obligingly drank from deeply.

The front door banged open.  Speak of the devil.  Leah’s heavy motorcycle boots pounded the wood floors as she made her way down the hall to the open bathroom.  She peeked her head around the corner, a hand over her eyes.  

Coast clear?

Clear.  I told her.  She uncovered her eyes and took in the vodka, me and Ruth, and bubble covered tear-stained Kim.

What the fuck is going on?

Andi....Andi....dumped meeeeeee!  Kim wailed and then took another gulp of booze.

What?  Damn.  Heavy.  Leah came over and and sat on the edge of the tub, grabbing the vodka bottle from the floor and taking a swig.  She choked slightly and pulled out her  Marlborough reds.  Mind?  I shook my head and stuck out my hand for one.

I want one too.  Kim warbled, pulling a prune-y hand out of the bubbles.  

You don’t smoke.  I said surprised.  

I fucking do now.  Leah?  Leah shrugged and handed her one.  We all lit up and let out sighs.

Women, man.  Muttered Leah.  Succinct and wise, that one.

We are going to Voyeur tonight, interested?

Yeah why not.  I was going to drive to Vegas but I’m over it.  Hotter chicks here anyway, Vegas is a bunch of amateurs.  This elicited a giggle from Kim.  Which was a good sign, even if it was a slightly tipsy giggle.

Voyeur was another whirl of epic breasts, strong drinks, dancing, and we managed to get Kim to bring home a girl that can only be described as a tall drink of champagne.

MARCH

The green month found Ruth fully ensconced in our apartment, and Cecilia in a ridiculous condo in WeHo, lazily job hunting, much preferring to girl hunt.

SO much more to come.  Promise.  Better deets in the future, and a full recap of Dinah Shore weekend....

Always, 

Louise