Stay the Night

Chapter 22

November 12th, 2002

“This is good. I’m glad we’re doing this.” Mariah said.

Michael smiled. “I’m sure you are.”

The two maneuvered around their bedroom, reorganizing. Mariah figured it would be a good way to unwind after a busy day school shopping with the kids. It was time for them to get serious about the girls’ education since preschool never worked out. Nicole and Noelle were about to be five years old and the only real instruction they’d received was from Karrin on Michael’s tour. Michael and Mariah tried to do flashcards and games with them but their careers always got in the way.

“I’m serious. Cleaning can be therapeutic.”

“I’m not saying it isn’t, calm down.” He replied. “I’m just worried about this school situation, that’s all.”

“Well, don’t.”

Michael frowned, adding papers to his ‘trash’ pile.

“What?” Mariah questioned.

He shrugged.

She clicked her tongue, tossing a stack of paper into a trash bag. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He replied, despondently.

“It’s not nothing. Any other time you wouldn’t have a problem with telling me what you feel.”

Michael avoided her eyes, opting to open the nightstand drawer. Upon opening he spotted something unsettling.

What the- That does not belong to Mariah...

While Mariah went on in the background, he grabbed a tissue to cover his fingertips and pulled out a black lace thong.

“Michael are you listen-”

“AhHhhh!” Michael shouted, tossing the used underwear onto the floor. “What the hell is that!”

Mariah’s eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between Michael and the thong.

“Don’t look at me like that, I don’t wear that stuff!” He exclaimed.

Mariah frowned. “That is not why I’m looking at you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you?”

“Whose are those?” She questioned, accusingly.

“Yeah, so I’m just gonna pull out some panties and incriminate myself. Okay…”

“That’s not funny, Michael! You’ve done it before!” She shouted.

“Done what?”

“Michael, don’t make me say it!”

“Okay, okay, yeah. But that’s not me anymore. That wasn’t me. That was a depressed person with little self respect. I’ve learned. Stop holding that against me when we’ve both done the some fucked up things!” He said.

Mariah didn’t have a come back for that one.

Got you…

“Anyway,” He started. “How in the fuck did this get here?”

Mariah shrugged, but quickly glanced over into the drawer the panties were in.

“Mike, what’s that?” She asked.

He raised an eyebrow, then grabbed another tissue to pull out a gold condom wrapper.

Mariah gasped.