The Dopamine Rush

Chapter Twenty-Seven | Goodbye

Monday, November 23, 1992

"Could someone get that?" Raquel called out with her hands tied, as she heard the phone ring.

"I'm on it, Hello?" Marisa answered

"Hi. Please tell me that Nikolai is home."

"Why are you calling again? She doesn't want to speak to you." Marisa snapped. "Haven't you done enough?"

"I know and I'm deeply sorry. Please let me speak with her."

"Absolutely not." Marisa slammed the phone down to end the call.

"He's got to be crazy. Calling here all times of day and night!"

"Him again hm?" Raquel said as her sister entered the kitchen.

"Of course. Doesn't he have some drums to go beat on or something? Maybe he'll go sleep with that rat again." Marisa ranted as Lola Marlene sat quietly.

Raquel stopped, slamming the knife down on the cutting board and turned away.

"This is all too reminiscent." She inhaled deeply and shook her head. "Want to know what she said to me? I made you a promise mama, that I'd never stay with anyone that hurts me. ... that's what my girl said. And it's killing me that I can't ease the pain. Isn't that what mothers do? But this is something that I can't take away."

"I think it would be best that we all continue to do what we're doing. Just love and comfort her." said Lola. "She's a tough girl, lots of courage, trust me when I say she will be just fine."

*

Marie stood down in the wardrobe department, flipping through Nikolai's sketchbook.

"Maybe we can ship them to her?" Jennifer asked as Marie continued to flip through.

"Would it be bad if I said that I saw this coming?"

"No." Jennifer answered. "We all did. I mean think about it Marie. She constantly, constantly told him. You said something, I even had a few words with him. He just wouldn't listen. But sue me for being the bad guy, I told him in the beginning not to go there with her but he insisted."

"Is he here?"

"Most likely, hiding up in his apartment, bouncing from studio to studio. He hasn't been able to rest at the other house, says it reminds him of her. Nothing but guilt."

"Say that."

"And little miss thing? No ones heard a peep from her. Guess she's somewhere trying to remove the markings on her face that Nik left."

"Wish I could've seen that. She get her good?"

"Damn good. I didn't even attempt to but in, until he grabbed Nik." Jennifer replied. "That girl deserved every slap she got, and I'm glad Nikki was the one to do it."

"Mmm mm mm!" Marie said as her head shook, causing her wig to shift sideways. "I oughta just cuss him out."

"No no.." Jennifer laughed. "I think he's going through it enough. The guy has been moping around in pajamas and sweats. I didn't think Prince even owned sweats let alone knew what they were! But in all seriousness, I applaud Nik for the way she handled herself. Did what she had to do, without shedding a single tear, then she quit on the spot."