Stay the Night

Chapter 25

February 4th, 2003

“Girl, if you don't get that nasty ass gyro away from me!” Mariah exclaimed, covering her nose.

Mariah and Rachel were having lunch after spending the morning rehearsing for Mariah's upcoming Charmbracelet tour. Mariah was trying to make sure that Rachel didn't have her doing anything too involved so that she wouldn't overextend herself.

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Girl, I know you not talking when you sitting up here eating a pickle and some Hot Cheetos.”

Mariah giggled. “It's not as bad as that.”

“Girl bye. We both over here smelling like vinegar because of you.” Rachel retorted.

“Whatever. How you supposed to be dancing anyway if you eating that big ass sandwich?” Mariah questioned, taking a bite out of her pickle.

Rachel frowned. “You acting like you putting on an actual performance. If you don't get out there and do that little two step to Heartbreaker-”

Mariah cackled. “You know the fuck what? I don't to have to take this from you.”

“I'm just saying.” Rachel retorted. She paused to pop a fry in her mouth. “All you gotta do is stand there and try to look cute.”

“I don't know about all that.” Mariah shrugged. “I already had to send some of the stuff back to get refitted.”

Rachel narrowed her eyes. “Didn't you just get fitted two weeks ago?”

Mariah took another bite out of her pickle waiting to see if Rachel would take the hint.

“Bitch!” Rachel chucked a fry at Mariah. “You pregnant again?”

Mariah giggled. “Yeah. I was waiting for you to figure it out.”

“I'm gonna need you and Mr. Jackson spayed and neutered.” Rachel started, causing Mariah to burst out laughing. “You don't pay me enough to be buying Christmas gifts for five kids.”

“Excuse me? I overpay you.” Mariah shot back. “I'm not even a dancer.”

Rachel shook her head.

“Y'all really having another baby?”

Mariah put her hands up. “This is the last one.”

“Why are you lying?” Rachel questioned. “I honestly thought y'all were done after Carey.”

“Well, Michael thought we should give him a brother.” Mariah explained. “But after this one I'm done.”

“See, I knew it was Michael's idea. You barely like the kids you got.” Rachel said.

Mariah gasped. “That's not true. You know I love my kids.”

“I mean, after you beat Nicole ass that one time-” Rachel started.

Mariah rubbed her hands together to get the red Cheeto residue off of them. “I was going through stuff though.”

“And when the twins were born-” The other woman added.

Mariah frowned. “I almost died and after that I had postpartum.”

“Exactly my point.” Rachel nodded. “You always have an issue after you have a baby, so I'm just saying you should slow down. I'm telling you this because I'm your friend. I just want you to be happy with your life. I don't want you to end up resenting your family, especially with the whole cheating thing. You know, I'm not trying to be up in your business or anything-”