Luck Ch. 01

'That girl' just stood there, her body separate from her mind, her bones filled with concrete, her eyes filled with smoke and her lungs filled with the acrid remains of her entire life burning before her.

'That girl' just stood there, her mouth clamped tight and silent, her heart constricted as it screamed silently into her chest.

'Turn away!

Yes, that is what she should do, she would turn away. Any second now her head would turn.

Any second now.

"This is a dream." she heard her own voice but couldn't feel her lips move, swore she heard relief in the chuckle that followed. "Just a bad dream, pinch yourself, you'll wake up."

So that girl stood there in the middle of the street pinching herself, waiting to wake up, her eyes wide unblinking, her tears making streaks through the soot on her face.

That's when she heard it.

"Mimi!" over and over the voice yelled, getting louder and closer.

Mimi was 'that girl's' name and she recognized it.

Oh god, now it was shaking her!

"She's in shock!" it was a different voice

"Oh my God!" the first one cried. "HELP!"

"We need a doctor!" the 3rd voice screamed.

WAIT! She knew those voices, that was Luci and Lyndsy her closest friends, and Marz, Luci's fiancée. She scanned her memory to make sure.

Lyndsy was a 6-ft mahogany-skinned model who paid top dollar for the hottest couture; she imported her shoes from Italy and her hair from India, she had her fingernails manicured with diamond dust and was hands down the classiest woman Mimi knew.

Luci had vivid red hair she was constantly 'punking' out. She was full of humor mixed with a genius that only an airhead could achieve. Japanese street fashion was her life, the bolder the better. She had a heart of gold and was the first to console when trouble arose.

Marz was a tall brother with a deep chocolate tone and a head full of dreads he kept pulled back, he was a male version of Luci, quick to laugh, full of sarcasm but had a mischievous nature that at 26, he still couldn't shake. They had been through it all with her; had been loyal friends when her father died, then her immediate family when her mother passed. They were all she had left.

They watched her abruptly snap out of it, her eyes finally focused on them.

"Mimi!" Luci cried, hugging her.

Reality hit her like lightning; she turned to see Lyndsy and Marz staring at her. Than she looked up high and saw the massive fire. She looked back towards Lyndsy and asked "Can I stay with you tonight?" before she fainted.

Luci and Lyndsy stood over the bed looking down at Mimi. "It's been 3 days," Lyndsy said almost out of her mind with worry "It's shock, when you lose your family restaurant, your home and everything you've ever owned, you go into shock," Luci said, fresh tears starting in her eyes. "I don't care if it's shock, she hasn't woke up in 3 days! We're taking her to the emergency room!"

"If she isn't up by tonight we'll take her."

She laid there in that bed, her eyes closed but she couldn't sleep, her brain was working triple time, but she had no coherent thoughts. She was lost in a lucid dream she didn't want to leave. She had gone back to the beginning, the only 'once upon a time' that she could remember: the short-lived happiness of her family.

There had been two people who were desperately in love; one was a great man, a scholar, with an intelligence that went beyond his years. He had a passion for life and the all American dream of riches he worked hard to achieve. He had struggled through a life of poverty at a time when the world was not catering to his African American roots, so he used his knowledge and cunning to make himself a success. The second was the most wonderful mother in the world, a blonde-haired blue-eyed angel who spread dreams like pixie dust, wishing and dreaming, seeing the impossible and conquering it. She had been a modern-day muse with a penchant for cooking. No one could resist the incomparable aroma of one of her newest creations. It was love at first sight, marriage by second sight and baby by third. They struggled against racism; their own families did not approve of them.

Despite the odds, the family had lived a happy fulfilling life with their whirlwind, never dying romance and their perfect baby girl.

Until that unfortunate day.

The father had been killed in a serious car wreck. It was a devastating blow and the mother never recovered. She became a veritable recluse hiding deep in the kitchen of the restaurant she and her husband built together. She lived a lonely and pitiful existence for 5 long years until one day she went into her room and never came out. The doctor had said she had a heart attack but the daughter, only 18 at the time, knew that her heart had actually broken and had been slowly dying for years. It was at her funeral that she vowed to keep love out of her system and never fall victim to it. No matter how good it might feel, the consequences were horrendous, life altering and deadly. So at 22 she was a virgin who had never been in a relationship or experienced 'true love', but she was running and cooking for a thriving restaurant and called herself happy.

Well, she used to.

"You have to get up, please get up." she heard the voice crying from far away.

She didn't want to get up. Why? What was there to get up to? She had lost everything! The fire had swept through the entire building, everything was ash. She could feel the tears choking her, her chest tight and she found it difficult to breath, even her beloved 'Punjab', he was her mother's cat for God's sake. She sat up abruptly and took the deepest breath she had taken in a long time. The fresh air burned her clenched lungs.

'Don't think about it!' her mind cried, she had to be strong or she would sink, she knew. She had sunk low once before and she had never been the same, her parents deaths still plagued her. That was a horrible time and she would not allow herself to ever go there again in her life. She stood up on shaky legs, her heart racing; she put her right foot forward and leaned on it for stability. "If my foot works, than my hand works, my brain works." she stood as straight as she could, her chin up a little, "I will force my heart to work."

"1st things 1st, I need a job and a place to live." she said as she entered the living room. Lyndsy had dropped the cookie she was eating out of her perfectly manicured fingers, her half full mouth opened wide in shock. Mimi grinned, seeing cookie particles fall from her mouth to her expensive dress; normally she would have been pissed and worried about a stain. Luci ran into the room hearing her voice.

"Oh thank God!" she said going in for a hug but Mimi put her hands up to stop her, "No, I need to go look for a job," she said. All 3 girls knowing that she was holding on by a thread but fighting hard and Mimi knew that hug would be her undoing, she wasn't ready for that yet.

***

He was jaded; there was no question about it. He hated what he had become. He was sick of everything, every aspect of his fake life, the fake friends, the phony people, the girls that secretly hated him for being an arrogant asshole, but adored him because his name was in lights and being seen with him could further their careers. A man could only take so much, and he was past his point. He was leaving his life, his career, all the shallow relationships and artificial love. He was leaving tinsel town once and for all. Sure, he should be grateful, he was 28 and in the prime of his career, handsome as sin; his last film raked in 20 million. It was a ridiculous amount of money, he was almost ashamed now, with the poverty level so high, and people were fucking starving, while he dined on ultra expensive meals that tasted like shit. The world was going to hell, and he refused to be a part of it any longer. He took pocket money, credit card, bank card, grabbed a few important things he couldn't live with out and jumped into his Range Rover than hit the open street, never looking back. He was searching for something 'real', a true emotion or something genuine in his life, and he would just keep going until he found it.

***

She had applied for the cook position at a 'Mel's Bar-B-Q' and had gotten hired immediately for the waitress position. She didn't care, it was a job and right now she had a whole life to rebuild. She had actually been lucky on the apartment; she had literally stumbled across the 'for rent' sign on her way back from getting her job, stubbing her toe. The woman who owned it was there showing it to a couple who were not interested because of the rough exterior.

She actually liked it, its appeal was not instantly visible, but on second look, one could see the character and history the huge old house had. She wrote a check for the woman on the spot.

***

He had been driving for days and was having the time of his life. He was alone for the 1st time in along time, his mother used to say it was important to take time for yourself every now and than. He drove with the windows down; stereo blasting as loud as it would go, singing as loud as he could. He felt free; there was no pressure, no demands. He didn't even care when he dropped nacho cheese on his custom made imported Italian leather seats, a week ago he would have freaked out. How the hell had a vehicle become the most important thing in his life? He was sick of his own standards, his carefully scheduled routine, and his freakish neatness. He used to be messy once, along time ago. His mother always said a little dirt was necessary for a truly clean mind.

***

Despite Lyndsy and Luci begging her to wait another night, she went to stay at her new apartment. She had to get it over with. So she sat there, in her bare, wall-to-wall whitewashed apartment. The night sky cast a grey shadow over the vacant room. She wished she had her things, her mother's things from New Orleans. She leaned back against the living room wall, her mind racing with at least three million thoughts at once. She had a migraine by sunrise, but was happy to see the sun. It had been a horrible, sleepless night, one of the longest of her life, and she was thankful it was finally over.

When Luci got the call it was the perfect excuse to go see Mimi. They had agreed to give her a little space, since she swore she needed it, but they were her friends and knew what was best for her.

"The diner called they want you to come in tonight." Luci said as they were both scoping the place out.

"I think you need to take a little time off before you jump into this job," Lyndsy said.

"No, I need this job."

"Let us take care of you for a month, Mi," Luci pleaded.

"No."

It was devastating for them to see her like this. She was the strongest girl they knew; she was funny, loving, genuine and real. She never lied, she didn't start shit, she gave outstanding advice and she had always proved to be the best friend in a time of need, always there to listen to any problem. Even her appearance had changed drastically, her normally glowing caramel colored skin was dull and ashy, and her hazel eyes usually sparked with her emotions, now they looked dead. Her long black curls were tied in the same bun she had been wearing since the fire. They were sick with worry and feeling very helpless; and seeing the empty apartment that Mimi was in looked foreign, making it worse.

"Just 30 days, relax and look for a better job."

"The job is fine."

"Fine? You're a master chef Nomi." Lyndsy only used her real name when she was serious. "You're not a waitress."

"Well this job will pay my bills, so that's enough." she said ending the subject.

***

She was exhausted when she got off, but she was glad for it, she needed to sleep to get her mind off things. Since it was only a block away, she walked home. She walked as fast as she could, damn near running. She walked into her apartment to see her friends there. She looked around the place, and felt the tears instantly welling in her eyes, they had completely redone it.

"SURPRISE! This is your unofficial housewarming party." Lyndsy said. Mimi looked at the housewarming banner hanging from the wall, the balloons, the confetti; she could smell the food through the air.

"Luci even made you a cake."

"Lyndsy even helped cook the meal." Luci added. Lyndsy didn't cook, she ordered and Luci didn't cook, she burned. Mimi was in shock.

"I can't believe this." she breathed looking at the living room. She had a couch and love seat; she recognized it was Lyndsy's older but expensive 'last year's furniture', the matching coffee table, a TV, a few plants, and a small entertainment center.

"I got you another Aloe Vera plant," Luci handed her the small plant. "I know it's not like your mom's but-"

"It's perfect." Mimi was holding back her tears.

They had gone through her whole house; she had a gorgeous bed and dresser, towels, dishes, pots and pans, blankets sheets, kitchen table with 3 chairs. Lyndsy even went through her extensive and expensive wardrobe and gave her all of her 'last season' clothes.

They drank cheap wine, dined on wings, fries, cake, and ice cream while they talked and laughed until early morning. Mimi had plastered on a fake smile and really tried to get into the little party, but she just couldn't.

She sat on her bed after everyone had left for the night and looked around her, her friends were beyond amazing, and she felt guilty and terrible, but she still couldn't help but feel so strange about all of this. She was proud and had never taken any handouts, even when her mother died. it came naturally, she remembered her mother had refused all financial and emotional help when her father died.

She used to have her own personality, her own style, and her own things. Now everything she owned was someone else's. She'd be wearing fancy expensive clothes that Lyndsy was infamous for. She felt like a fraud, she felt foreign in her own skin. She was alive and well and thankful, but she had no idea who she was anymore.

***

The rain was relentless, it had just come out of no where, blinding him, his windshield impossible to see out of. The tires squealed as he almost lost control; he hit the breaks than found himself in someone's front yard and a foot from a woman who stood soaked glaring at him from under a large multi colored raincoat.

"Are you out of your mind!?" she yelled seeing only a Yankees baseball hat through the windshield. This guy was nuts, he almost killed her, but even worse, she was going to be late for work again and she was already on thin ice with Mel. She saw the guy getting out of the car and with the mood she was in she would have loved nothing more than to take an extra minute to cuss him out, but she had to go, so she stomped her foot and started walking away very fast.

"Wait!" he said, getting out of his car, watching her turn her head around quick as she continued her fast pace. Her face was still hidden under the huge hood of her rain jacket.

He stepped around to the front of his car knowing damn well he had hit something, still thanking God he had not hit that girl. He looked down to see the evidence; a 'for rent' sign under his tire. He looked up at the large beat-up house, it reminded him of somewhere but he wasn't sure where. It seemed almost eerily gothic in the gray haze of the rain. He looked back down at the 'for rent' sign, the number was visible. He looked back up at the house one more time; there was just something about it. "If you don't know where you're going, sometimes it's best to stay were you're at." he said under his breath. It would just have to do for now.

"Are you alright dear?" An older woman walked towards him, almost dwarfed by her huge red umbrella, "I'm alright, thanks. But I wrecked the sign."

"Oh, no problem at all dear so long as no ones hurt. Besides I shouldn't have put it so close to the street, we're just trying hard to rent it out."

What was the chance?

"You're renting it?"

"Yes, we own the two houses here, we live next door, me and my husband Jim." she smiled.

"Do you have time to show it real quick?"

"Yes I sure do, I have all the time in the world."

It was huge on the inside; the house had been divided into two separate apartments, with a shared basement that had a free washer and dryer for the tenants. She said he had a neighbor but she was rarely home since she worked all the time.

He handed her cash and she handed him the keys immediately. He went inside and sat on the empty living room floor wondering what the hell he was doing. This time last week he was living in the lap of luxury, today he was in an empty apartment he had rashly rented. He had no idea where he was, didn't even know the state but he was renting an apartment here.

He was losing his mind.

***

She was furious, as if it wasn't bad enough she was already running late, or that she almost got run over by some maniac in a Yankees hat driving up her front yard, or that she was soaked to the bone and her boss was bitching because she was late, or that she was to late to change her soaked clothes and she had to work in them until they dried or she got off, which ever came first. Now she had to wait on the Emerson family, and all of their six extremely messy and destructive children. She was having a horrible night, she just wanted to go home and sleep.

***

He hated having to hide, but if he wanted peace he had no choice, even with a hat and sunglasses it was possible for him to be recognized. He looked in the bathroom mirror his kit sitting on the sink before him. He had been letting his beard grow all week and it was already thick, it was always the perfect disguise, it seriously altered his appearance. He grabbed the clippers than proceeded to shave the inky locks from the top of his head. When he finished he looked up and ran his hand over his new buzz cut. He put in dark contacts over his pale blue eyes than put on a small pair of reading glasses and his Yankees hat back on to pull off the look. He looked in the mirror, nobody would ever recognize him; he barely recognized himself.

***

The kids had left the worse mess she had ever seen; there was chili everywhere, crushed biscuits on the seats, tables, one stuffed in an overflowing cup of chocolate milk. She needed to sleep, she wanted to curl up in a booth and pass out, but she heard Mrs. Klein, the little old lady who came at the same time everyday, ordered the same thing everyday and sent it back at least three times because it was never done right. She had taken a special disliking to Mimi, and left her only 1 penny for a tip everyday, but since she religiously sat in her section, she had no choice but to wait on her. The other girls refused to, she had done the same thing to each of them.

***

It was a small diner, just a few blocks from his apartment. Only a few people were inside and they all looked when he entered. He felt a moment of that familiar 'oh shit they recognize me' feeling, but to his relief they went back to what they were doing, so he went and sat down.

"What can I get for you tonight sir." The waitress came out of nowhere; he looked up to see her, she wore black rimmed glasses not to much unlike the ones he wore, her dark hair was pulled back very tight, she wore a huge uniform that concealed her shape, and she was beautiful, absolutely stunning. She had hazel cat eyes rimmed with thick black lashes, and her full lips were begging him to kiss them.

"What do you recommend?"

She finally looked up from the small notepad she had, her fake half smile vanished immediately when she saw the Yankees hat. She looked out the window to see the Range Rover that had almost squashed her.

"You!" she pointed her finger at him, almost directly aligned with his aquiline nose