Chapter Twelve
Mind y
Just a few hours to go till my gig tonight.
I'm lying on the couch in the living room, wearing comfy loungewear and staring dumbly at the ceiling. I already prepared my outfit for my performance. All I need to do is apply some makeup, and I’ll be good to go. Right now, I’m just giving my body a short break, as I try to wrap my head around everything that happened these last few days.
As I lay here, I feel like my body is slowly drifting away from me. I can't help but wonder if it's possible for me to truly levitate and spend the rest of my life like that, far from the challenges of everyday life. The term ‘when it rains, it pours’ perfectly describes the fiasco the last few days have been. First, the photos, then Maurice, then my mom, and then, Alexis. And let’s not forget about the icing on the cake, getting fired from Global Media. Not bad for a few days’ work, huh?
But then again, the Universe has decided to come to my rescue. Maybe I am starting to believe in that kind of stuff. Either way, I just need to do well at Kevin’s gig, and my sorry ass is saved. At least for now. And of course, I’m going to do well tonight, right? Why wouldn’t I? I’ve done this before, and I’ve done it well. All I need to do is give the audience the best I got, and walk away with a fifty-thousand paycheck, and maybe some tips.
Fifty grand.
I haven’t even seen that much cash in one place.
It could be the easiest and biggest money I ever made.
You can do this, Mindy!
The sound of the lock turning startles me out of my thoughts, and soon I hear Betty's familiar footsteps approaching. She was away this weekend, so she hasn’t experienced anything from the shitstorm my life has turned into since Friday. Lucky girl. She stops at the door to the living room with her trademark grin on her face.
"Hey girl, what's up? I was searching for you at the office earlier, but you seemed to have vanished! I wanted to share some big news: Global Media just landed a contract with a major Hollywood film studio. Soon we'll be rubbing elbows with famous actors and celebrities..." Her eyes meet mine, and it dawns on me that I must still look like a ghost with my pale skin and tired eyes. "Oops, sorry for rambling. Are you alright, Mindy? Did you take a personal day?"
I look up from my daze. "I’m not with Global Media anymore, Bets. I got fired."
Betty's eyes widen in shock. "Fired? Who would fire the chief accountant?"
"Probably Maron Korolev, making it look like the head of human resources fired me," I say bitterly.
Betty's eyes widen like saucers. "What are you talking about? Mike fired you?"
“Well, he’s the one who sent the email,” I sigh. "I couldn't even get through the gate this morning. My swipe card was blocked."
Betty plops down next to me on the couch, her eyes wide with shock. "Are you serious? What the hell happened?"
I run a finger through my hair. "Well," I sigh and look at my bestie. "I accidentally sent some nudes to Maron Korolev. And a few more important people in the company."
Betty covers her mouth with her hands. "What?!"
I nod. "That’s the explanation."
Betty looks at me in disbelief. "You really need to bring me up to speed here, girl. You sent nudes of yourself to your boss? What nudes? Like photos? Tits, pussy, the whole package?"
I nod. "That. And a video."
"Are you kidding me?" Betty says with a wince, shaking her head in disbelief. "A video? With… with you on it?"
I laugh bitterly. "Yeah. And let's just say it wasn't exactly PG-13."
"Meaning…?"
"Well… I scream on it."
Betty covers her mouth with her hands. "Oh, my God, Mindy… Please tell me you're joking."
I let out a dramatic sigh and run my fingers through my hair. "I wish I was, Bets. But unfortunately, this is not a shitty movie plot. It's real life."
An uncontrollable bubbling sensation fills my chest, and suddenly, I struggle to contain my laughter. As I glance at Betty, I can see her fighting the same urge. In an instant, we both erupt into a fit of laughter.
Our bodies shake with mirth as we give in to the hilarity of the whole thing. Finally, our sides hurt and we're gasping for air, but even after it all dies down, our eyes still twinkle.
"I’m… I’m so sorry. I'm not laughing at you, babe," Betty says through her giggling. "I just can't believe this actually happened. Did anyone actually see the photos?"
"Just Maron Korolev and his entire management team, I guess," I reply.
Betty shakes her head. “What the hell, girl? This just keeps getting worse and worse. When did this all happen?”
"Friday night. All I remember is being buried under two hundred and fifty-six spreadsheets the whole day, sending forty-six emails every hour, and trying to maintain my sanity while following Maron Korolev's orders. Then I came home, took some photos for Maurice, and sent them to the wrong address."
“The wrong address? What? How?” Betty shakes her head in disbelief.
"Long and incredibly boring story, Bets.” I sigh. “You don't wanna hear it. The point is, I drove to work this morning, just to find out that my company card was blocked. Then I got Mike’s email," I explain, blowing my nose. I can't even tell if I'm laughing or crying anymore.
Betty squeezes my hand sympathetically. "Oh honey, I'm so sorry. At least you have me and Maurice."
"Only you."
“What?” Betty frowns. "You mean-"
“Yup,” I nod. "I'm single again."
She covers her mouth with her hand. "Shit," she blurts. "This is way too much for one weekend, Mindy. I'll bring something to make this day tolerable." She comes back with a box of chocolate and opens it. "Now tell me everything."
I take a deep breath and tell her all about Maurice, how he gambled away the IVF money, how he dumped me, and all the batshit crazy series of events.
"When did I become such a pathetic loser, Bets?" I allow myself to cry into Betty's shoulder, tears streaming down my face for the umpteenth time. I’ve been alone with my emotions all weekend, and it’s good to finally have my friend back.
She rubs my back soothingly. "Shh... I know how much you wanted a family, babe. But Maurice doesn't deserve your heartbreak after what he’s done. You'll get through this. And I’ll be right here with you." She keeps patting my back. "Ssh. I'm so sorry, honey.”
I wipe my nose. "It's not even about the IVF money," I say. "He couldn't keep up with my libido. That's what he said."
Betty's eyes widen. "I mean… what a weirdo. I've never met a guy who said that was a problem."
I shrug. "Well, there's Maurice for you."
After a moment of silence, Betty squeezes my hand. "You know, Min, as bad as this thing with Maurice might seem, at least he didn't snore like a freight train or mansplain your own job to you."
I can't help but chuckle. "Oh, you’re referring to the parade of dating disasters I went through before him?"
Betty grins. "How could I forget that?"
I heave a sigh. I know my friend is trying to lighten the mood by bringing this up. I most certainly had the worst dating history before I found Maurice. "You remember that lawyer who seemed to just hate women in general? Anytime I brought up an issue, he'd mansplain and act condescending."
Betty wrinkles her nose in disgust. "Yeah, Mark, huh? Boy, I was glad you got out of that one. Ugh!"
"Oh yeah, I ran for the hills," I laugh through my tears. "Then there was the plumber guy, remember?
“The one that lasted three weeks?”
“Yeah, him. Nice guy, handsome as hell, but he would not stop talking about pipe bursts and how he repelled them. Like, zero ability to change the subject. In the end, when I heard the word 'pipe' I wanted to scream."
"Riveting conversation," Betty deadpans with an eye roll. "Definitely a major turn-on."
"Oh, that he was.” I let out a sarcastic snort. “And then...! There was the alcoholic actor. You know, the one who showed up pissed on our dates?"
Betty cringes. "How can I forget,” she winks. “I had to come collect your drunk butt from that sketchy bar because he was too sloshed to get you home safely."
Shaking my head, I can't help but chuckle at the ridiculous streak of dating fuckups from my past. "I think I might deserve an award from ‘ the world's shittiest dater ’ competition."
Betty looks at me, her face turning serious. "You know, Mindy," she says, "if I ever get fired from Global Media, I won't bother looking for another soul-sucking corporate job. No way. I already made up my mind. I'll launch my online business and maybe even become a digital nomad. Maybe start off in Bali."
"A digital nomad?" I exclaim, "you have a business idea?"
"A matchmaking website. Rich guys looking serious for relationships."
"Woah, not bad, Bets! Count me in as your first customer."
"Sure. That's if you don't find someone better than Maurice first."
I shake my head. "Unlikely. But really Bets, online matchmaking is a killer idea. Just don't forget to screen any potential candidates for their propensity to snore. Like that notorious snorer I dated."
Betty's eyes go wide as she bursts out laughing. "Tony, right? The one we called ‘Tony the tractor’, because he sounded like one in his sleep. The neighbors called the police on you two because they thought someone was being brutally murdered in your apartment!"
I groan, covering my face with my hands as the mortifying memory comes rushing back. The tears are still flowing, but I can’t help but laugh at the ridiculous memory. "That's right, the cops actually showed up! I had to explain to them that it was just my date's unmerciful snoring that kept everyone awake."
Betty cackles at the sheer absurdity of it all. "And you still went out with him for a month after that. Your dedication to shitty dates is admirable, Mindy."
"Well in my defense, the snoring was slightly more bearable when he wasn't staying over," I reason with a sheepish grin, laughing along with her, but I didn’t miss her point about ‘dedication to shitty dates’. I know she’s right. "Maybe I really didn't have such a bad thing going on with Maurice after all, huh? In comparison at least. He looked so much like a normal family guy." My smile falters as I remember how much it still hurts to think about him leaving me.
Betty squeezes my hand sympathetically. "If that’s any comfort," she says hesitantly, "I never liked Maurice. I know I never told you, but I always thought he was... selfish and commitmentphobic. You deserve so much better."
I pull back, my brow furrowing as I process her words. "What do you mean commitmentphobic ? We were together for over two years and were literally about to have a baby via IVF. How is that a commitmentphobia?"
Betty sighs, brushing my tear-streaked hair from my face. "Look Min. I know it seemed like he was fully committed on the surface. But I saw little signs over the years. He got antsy every time the relationship got too serious or took big steps forward. Like he wanted to be a couple, but as soon as it became 'forever' serious, he started pulling away."
Fresh tears well in my eyes as her words ring true deep down. "I guess… you're right, Bets. I think I knew that about him too, I just didn't want to face it. I was so desperate for the relationship to work so that I could finally have a family. Especially after… the accident."
Tears are now streaming down my cheeks all over again. Betty pulls me into another hug. "Ssh, it’s okay, girl. I know how much you miss Emily. But I’m here for you and I’m not going anywhere." Her words only make me cry even more tears. Betty hugs me tighter. "I wish I could take away your pain, Mindy. But all I can do is be here for you, whenever you need me. You're not alone in this, I promise you that."
I cling to her, my anchor in the storm of grief that threatens to sweep me away, almost every day. "Thank you, Bets. I don't know what I'd do without you."
When she finally pulls away from the hug, she looks at me with determination in her eyes. "Listen, Min. You deserve someone who loves you and values you wholeheartedly. Maurice doesn't deserve your tears. There's someone out there for you who will jump in with both feet. I just know it."
"Well, maybe." I sigh, "But I don't have time for self-pity now, Betty. I need money. Because if all that shit wasn't enough, Mom needs more treatment for her cancer and I'm the only one who can pay for it."
“Shit,” Betty says. "I know it really sucks, but I’m here for you."
I heave a big sigh. "At least it's treatable. But the insurance only covers half of the expenses. I need to scrape the other half. Alexis is useless… so I'm going back to New York High to sing again. It's the only way I can make enough cash quickly."
"New York High? You sure?" Betty protests, shaking her head vehemently. "You are so much more than a singer in some seedy club, Mindy. You've got your accounting degree and years of experience. Every big company would be happy to hire someone like you."
"Except Maron Korolev is unlikely to give me a good reference." I pull a face. "And even if he does, it'll probably be something like ‘Besides sending me and the company executives her nude photos and her amateur porn video, Miss Williams was an asset to our team’. "I let out a bitter laugh. "My career in accounting just got flushed down the toilet, Bets. Right now, singing is all I have. So," I continue, "I took action."
"What action?" Betty asks.
"I went to New York High earlier today. Kevin, the owner, offered me a gig straight away."
Betty's eyebrows raise. "That quickly? I hope he’ll pay you well."
I nod. "Better than you might think."
Betty raises her eyebrows. "Okay, and when is this lucrative gig?"
"Tonight."
"Tonight?" Betty's eyes widen in surprise. "Talk about a short notice!"
"I know, right? It's some kind of private event, taking place at another venue, in SoHo. Kevin didn’t give me much detail, but I start at ten." I glance at the time. "Speaking of which, I need to start getting ready."
Betty whistles low. "Private gig, great money, cloak of secrecy around the details... sounds pretty sketchy if you ask me."
I shrug. "Maybe. But I can't afford to be picky now, Bets."
Betty studies me for a moment, then nods in resignation. "You're right, babe. When desperation hits, you gotta do what you gotta do. Just be careful, okay? Text me when you get there and when you leave."
"Thanks, Bets, I will. And hey, aren't you proud of me?"
“The hell I am!” Betty returns my smile. “That's my quick-thinking, hustling bestie. If anyone can knock 'em dead, it's you." She pulls me into another fierce hug. "Hey, I'm here for you, whatever comes next, alright? Just promise me you'll start applying for some well-paid corporate jobs instead of getting stuck in a shady bar, singing for drunk millionaires who want to fuck you just because you have a nice voice."
“Don’t forget my killer tits,” I tease, and Betty immediately bursts out laughing.
“I love you, girl,” she comes in for another bear hug.
"I love you too, Bets.” I return the hug. “And thank you. For everything. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without you." I glance at the time. "Jesus, I need to start getting ready or Kevin will have my head."
Betty nods, standing up. "Alright, Miss Pop Star. Let's get you dolled up for this mysterious gig of yours, then. Where's that knock-'em-dead outfit you mentioned earlier?"
As we walk to my room giggling, I just can't help but feel thankful for having Betty as my best friend.
You can’t put a price on a friendship like this.
It’s worth more than the fattest paycheck in the world.