Can’t Stop Movin’ Blues I start walking away. A voice calls out after me, “Beri!” My name is Berimbau Aleé. I turn around. “What?” “Espérate un minuto.” “What for?” “So we can talk.” Oh, that’s Mimi Potts talking to me. She’s my… well, it’s complicated. In this scene we’re standing outside her apartment building. I want to leave. She wants me to stay. “About what, Mimi? I figure everything’s been said.” “Then why do I feel this way?” “Probably because you’re a bitch.” She looks surprised that I would use such strong language. Frankly, I am too but I don’t let it show. Instead, I take the opportunity to start walking away again. She grabs my sleeve. “Beri, corazón, are you OK with this?” “With what?” “With things ending this way.” “You’re the one who brought it here, Mim.” “Beri, you’re not being fair.” That’s rich. I love how she says I’m not being fair. “Bye, Mim.” What’s that line the business guys always use in movies? “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” I want to tack that on but something wont let me. It’s not like she’ll listen even if I say it. “This isn’t over, Beri! ¿Me oyes?” Yep. About what I was expecting. Walking away again- hopefully for the last time- I can almost feel Mimi shaking. She’s that angry. Oh well. My name is Berimbau Aleé, but everyone calls me Beri. I live in one of those cities that gives the illusion of being worldly, so much so in fact that a person can go their entire life living in the same place and not realize it. That’s exactly what I’m doing. It’s a beautiful day. My cell phone rings and I ignore it. Once, on a whim, I got rid of my cell for about three months. The experience was both peaceful and humbling. Peaceful most because my actions, my direct motor-skill controlled actions were no longer dictated by the inane buzzing, chirping, and vibrating of a hunk of plastic and metal lodged between two pieces of fabric near my waist. It was humbling because the world didn’t fall to pieces while I was inaccessible. Speaking of falling to pieces old Waldo’s probably pitching a fit right now. Waldo’s my boss. I’m running late to work but if it hadn’t been for Mimi I’d have been on time. It feels like a fair trade, though, to finally have that taken care of. Mimi and I had been seeing each other for a long time - she had installed my cable when I moved into my first apartment and sparks flew - but never actually dating. Never that. She always wanted to keep her, ‘options open.’ And she wonders why I broke it off. It’s good that everything’s finished. I’m not angry, not exactly. It’s not like I love
her or anything. I only waste that kind of energy on a few girls.
I’m so wrapped up in my own thoughts I don’t notice where I am until I’m pulling open the door to Waldo’s Pies. “You’re late for your shift, Beri.” “Nice to see you too, Waldo.” I’ve been working for Waldo way too long. He doesn’t really care when I’m late but if he didn’t give me a hard time our conversations would be even shorter. “Take out the trash, ok?” “Sure thing, Waldo.” “There’s an order I need in an hour. Can you handle it?” “I already saw it, Waldo. Don’t worry.” “Well, don’t forget about the trash.” “I won’t, Waldo.” “Oh. That girlfriend of yours called. She says for you to be on time for work and to stop ignoring your phone. And to call her.” That’s weird. “Ok Waldo, thanks.” “And remember the-“ “Order and trash.” “Humph.” As Waldo walks to his office I wonder why Corrina would be calling after all this time. Whatever. I wash up and get started. After work I walk the ten blocks to my apartment building. My neighbors and I like to call it ‘college minus classes.’ All of the residents are about my age, twentysomethings. It gives the whole place a surreal vibe. It also gives us an excuse to party. A lot. I arrive just in time for a plate of ribs. The couple up on the third floor, Tim and Jane, are having a BBQ for everyone on the roof. Tim’s my best friend in the building. In this scene I’m acting my age. “Are you even listening?” “Yeah. Mimi said you weren’t being fair. Hey, pass me another beer?” “What I don’t get,” I say as I toss a beer to Tim, “Is why wait so long? It’s not like I hadn’t figured it out-“ “Or anyone else for that matter.” “-So why tell me now?” “Who knows, man? Chicks are nuts. Pass me another beer?” That’s right. I take my relationship advice from a drunk who says women are “nuts” and yet lives with his girlfriend. When I stop to think about it it’s not so unusual. For a while we just chat and enjoy the food and the beer and the day. As the light fades different neighbors slip in and out of the little party to grab a bite to eat or just to catch up. We all get along. Everyone who’s hanging out at the BBQ comes up to me to say hello.
Not that I’m that popular; I’m sitting on the cooler. It’s like the man says: location, location, location! With the sun showing its final light everything’s wrapping up. Other people are cleaning but somehow Tim and I manage to avoid that work. Instead we’re “working” on the last of the beers. I’ve got a good drunk going, though nothing like Tim’s, and I’m thinking about it when he says, “So what’re you up to tonight, Beri?” “I dunno. I hadn’t thought that far.” “Wanna come out with us?” “What’s the destination?” I’m reluctant to go out with Tim again. The last time I did I woke up at a bus stop. Covered in shaving cream. Long story. “This new spot downtown. Drinks are buy one get one free.” I’m sold. “Sure. Do I have time to get cleaned up first?” “We’re not leaving for a couple hours.” “Cool. I’m gonna go get a shower.” “Hey, yells Tim as I’m leaving, “Check this out!” I stop walking and turn around. Jane and the others stop cleaning to look. Tim’s standing there, a bottle of beer held sideways in each hand. He hooks the tops together. He pulls. Both tops come flying off at once, and we all jump back to avoid the sudden shower of booze. When the suds stop flying Tim’s left covered in beer and looking very happy with himself. I make it clear that I understand what he was going for and that I approve with a high five. “Guys are nuts,” says Jane. At the club the music is so loud I can hardly hear what Jane’s asking me. “Tim? He said something about a cigarette.” “He’s supposed to be quitting!” She looks pissed. “Do you know if he went outside?” she shouts at me, but she’s already wading into the crowd before I can answer. I watch Jane disappear, off looking for someone she cares about. I wonder how Corrina’s doing? After a few more drinks I’m good and drunk. I feel like shit. We came with a decent amount of people; I can see friends scattered over the bar and dance floor. One of my neighbors walks over to me. “Hiya, Beri. Buy me a drink?” It’s Helena from the first floor. I like her so I say, “Sure,” and buy her one before I walk out without saying another word. On my way I see Tim and Jane. “Hey, Beri! Where you goin’, man?” “I don’t feel so hot, Tim. I’m heading home.” I’m weaving and wobbling while I talk. Standing still is tougher than I remember and Jane has a look on her face that I can’t quite decipher. “Are you going to be OK?”
“Don’t worry about me,” I try not to slur while I’m talking, “but could you do me a favor, Jane?” “Sure, Beri. What?” “Tell Helena I said I’m sorry.” Now her expression is even harder to read. “What’d you do?” “Nothing. Just… tell her, OK? “Uh… alright, Beri. Sure.” “Thanks. Goodnight, guys.” “Night, Beri. Be safe!” Who knew that cabs kick you out just for throwing up a little? I just found that out. In this scene I’m a drunk idiot. My phone rings. It’s late and I’m sloshed so I figure why not? I answer it. “Hello?” “Hey, Berimbau.” “Hi, Corrina.” That’s Corrina Marchant on the phone. She lives in another state. Take that statement how you will. She’s my girlfriend, the one Waldo mentioned. “You ignored my call earlier.” “Yeah.” “And you didn’t call me back.” “I know. Sorry.” “It’s OK.” “How are you?” “I’m alright. How are you, Berimbau?” “OK.” We let the silence do most of the talking. Corrina Marchant. My Corrina. She lives in another state and about a million miles away. Take that how you will. Before, she lived close. We always saw each other and eventually we fell in love. I did, at least. Then she moved and now we talk on the phone. Works for me. For some reason we never use nicknames for each other. Too personal, I guess. “I miss you, Corrina.” I’m taken aback by the sound of my own voice. I hadn’t meant to speak. “I miss you too, Berimbau.” “Can I come visit you sometime soon?” “I don’t think so. I’m awfully busy.” “Then why don’t you come back home for a bit instead?” “Berimbau, don’t be foolish.” “Sorry. I’m drunk.” “I can tell. You picked up, after all. It’s so good to talk to you, Berimbau. I’ll call again soon.” “I love you, Corrina.” “Goodnight, Berimbau.” She always manages to leave me so quietly.
Something’s wrong. I can tell before I even open my eyes. I open them. I know where I am. “Buenos días.” “Did you kidnap me?” Mimi smiles at me from across the bed. Her bed. “Of course not! I wouldn’t do that.” Of course not. She leans in closer. “Do you really not remember? “Nope.” “I called you- pretty late- and you were sobbing-“ “Sobbing?” “Crying, Beri. You were crying so I told you to come over and here you are.” “What was I crying about?” “How should I know? You wouldn’t tell me.” I start to get up and gather my clothes. “Well. Thanks for putting me up, Mimi. I’ll see you around.” “Wait, don’t you want to stay for a bit?” Mimi reaches for my hand but I move away. She’s not smiling anymore and I’m feeling more than a little angry that she asked that question. “Umm, Mimi? Don’t you remember that little conversation we had yesterday morning? It’s. Over. This can’t work.” “And why not? “It just can’t!” “Is it because of that ‘girlfriend’ of yours that left you all alone?” “How’d you know?” “I may have peeked at your call log while you were passed out.” “Mimi!” “Lo siento, Beri! I only did it because I was worried about you. So is that really the reason?” “Yes.” I hadn’t noticed when it happened but I’m sitting on the bed again, looking her right in the eyes. She’s still not smiling and her hands rest lightly on mine. “Beri, why can’t you let go of her? She’s moved on. Why can’t you love me?” “Because you don’t love me.” Suddenly she bounds off the bed and turns her back to me. When she turns around again there’s a huge smile fixed firmly in place. “So?” In this scene I’m running. I’m running out of Mimi’s place, fast as hell, tripping over my own feet to avoid the arsenal of airborne household appliances she’s unleashing on me. It’s my fault. When she said, “So?” I told her that it was the stupidest question anyone had asked me in a long time and… yeah.
She stops chasing me after a few blocks but I run another two just to be safe. I stop to catch my breath and get to thinking about the whole situation and next thing I know I’m laughing. I can’t help it. Running like that had sucked and even been a little terrifying - Mimi’s got a good arm - but damn if it wasn’t funny. When I can finally stop holding my sides I check the time. Shit. I start running again so that Waldo won’t be too mad at me. “You’re late, Beri.” “Morning, Waldo.” “There’s an-“ “Order on the board. I saw it, Waldo.” “And-“ “It’s inventory day. I got it.” “What’s with you today, kid?” “Nothing. Crazy night.” “Humph. Just get started on that order.” “No prob. Hey, Waldo, have you ever pissed a girl off so bad she threw a blender at you?” “Humph.” As I’m getting off work I decide to go straight home for some much needed rest. No BBQ’s, no drinking, no room for craziness for a couple days. I bump into Helena in the lobby. “Hi, Helena. Look, I’m sorry I acted like such a dick last night. I shouldn’t have walked away so suddenly. I was drunk and-“ “And a total asshole.” “Yeah, I know… I’m really sorry.” Suddenly she laughs and I’m confused. “I’m joking, Beri! It’s fine, don’t worry.” “You sure?” “Yeah, don’t sweat it. To be fair it was a pretty stunning move. Bold.” “Bold’s my middle name.” We both laugh even though the jokes not very funny. I decide to press my advantage. “Well umm… are you busy tonight?” “Not really, Beri. What’d you have in mind?” “I was thinking I could maybe have a second chance to buy you that drink.” This could be just what I need to get out of this funk I’ve been in. Or she could be crazier than a hundred Mimis. In this scene I’m making a mistake? Who cares? “Alright,” she says, “Just let me go grab a coat.” It’s more fun than sitting still.