All My Sins

A High

    Marshall just partially lied to Proof again that night. When asked what spurred the notion of a spontaneous kick back, Marshall withheld the fact that he had been relentlessly anxious for five hours straight.
    "Just wanna relax." he told Proof, as he rolled a blunt in the passenger seat of his car.
Somewhat expectant of how their night would go, Marshall and Proof entered the apartment. As the door opened, feminine giggles peaked their curiosity. Denaun sat on the couch, the back of the recliner hindering their view of who sat. Marshall was not surprised that Porter had invited a girl over, he did not care to find out who. He walked first to the kitchen counter, setting down the bag of liquor. Proof walked into the living room in pace to take a seat next to Denaun. Paying a quick glance down at the recliner, he stopped dead in his tracks. Marshall noticed from the kitchen as he did a double take down at the recliner. His own view of their guest was still obstructed. Proof seemed stunned, even under the circumstances of the night's influences, Marshall was disturbed by this reaction.

"Hiiiiiiii..." She drew before he could take his first step out of the kitchen area. His mind hastened to recognize the somewhat familiar voice. As he neared, Proof met his eyes still blankly, and then back to their guest. It seemed it had all happened too soon as Marshall too became bewildered by none other than Maureen Doc, curled comfortably into his recliner. His equally glassy eyes beheld hers. He had never seen her this way, never even imagined her this way. The helplessly joyful look on her face was brilliant, but dark. His chest clenched as he further glanced down the length of her bare legs, the illusion of shorts hidden beneath a baggy t-shirt.

"It seems an invite was lost in the mail." Denaun stood and stared down at her too as if she were a view for all to take in.

"It does appear that way, we have decided." She giggled and locked eyes with Marshall.

Now he was stunned, so Proof spoke up.

"Porter... What's going on?" He said carefully, weary of how Marshall would react once he registered the situation.

Maureen sat up cooly and spoke for herself.    
    "I came looking for Marshall."

"Why the fuck is she blazed, Porter?" Marshall's harsh voice eventually blundered through the mellow atmosphere. His eyes lingered at her ribs which caged a poor lung.

    "We had a little sweet tooth."

The empty glass and plate of crumbs still sat on the side table. Both Marshall and Proof's eyes widened in astonishment. Marshall dropped to his knees, attempting to blink away the glaze from his eyes to actually see that this was real.

    "Maureen." He spoke deep and toneless. "Are you okay?"

"Mhmmmm." She hummed melodically and boldly as she leaned in closer. She smiled mischievously, and licked her lips, her eyes cracked with reds and pinks.

    "She been waitin' a while. We'll step outside while y'all say your little hello's." Proof lingered behind Marshall for a few moments, but then stepped out with Denaun on the small balcony off the living room. Marshall's heartbeat echoed until they were alone.

    "What the fuck is going on, Maureen?" He grasped her cheeks in his hands and stared desperately into her eyes. Far more at ease, she brought her fingers to the back of his hands and nuzzled into his touch, closing her eyes peacefully.

    "Look at me." He demanded, and her eyelashes fluttered blissfully.

"What're you doing? How are you here?" He practically begged, all the worry that suffocated him in the previous hours attempting to claw its way out.

    "John came. He told me you gave him a hard time when he came to you. You knew he was coming"

"What happened? Did he do something?"