April Blooms Again
"I'm sorry Ms. Marquez" the doctor said sadly. "But you have only two options. If you choose to have the baby, you probably won't survive childbirth. If you want to live, my advice is to abort the baby."
Tears sprang into Mimi's eyes. She knew she was dying, but she didn't want it to end like this. When her fiance had discovered she was pregnant he had dumped her. Roger was her reason for living. Without him in her life she was dying slowly but surely.
"What do you want to do Ms. Marquez?" The doctor was asking her. What did she want to do? She wanted to turn back time and make Roger love her again. But that was impossible. She sighed knowing what she had to do.
"I want to have my baby." she told the doctor.
"You understand the consequences of this don't you?" was the doctor's reply
"Yes" Mimi said softly. "I do"
She left the doctor's office and started down the street. She passed the Cat Scratch Club, where she used to work, following the familiar path that led her to Roger's loft. She looked up at the window, and saw Roger sitting in the window seat strumming his guitar.
"Damn you to hell" she thought bitterly as she watched him playing his guitar, not a care in the world. Not even for his unborn daughter. And then she knew what she would do. She turned her back to the window, then as an after thought, turned back.
"Goodbye Roger" she whispered and walked away. As if he could hear her, Roger turned and looked out the window. But all he saw was a retreating form.
Fifteen minutes later Mimi was standing outside Mark and Maureen's house waiting to be let in. Finally Maureen opened the door wearing what appeared to be one of Mark's shirts. Despite her gloomy mood Mimi couldn't help but laugh.
"Did I interrupt something?" Mimi asked weakly.
"Oh no, come in Mimi" Maureen told her. "Just let me go get Mark"
"Sure" Mimi said sitting on their couch. "I'll be here"
"Mark!" Maureen shouted on her way up the stairs. "Put some clothes on your sexy ass. We have company!"
Mimi laughed to herself. Maureen probably thought she was whispering. A few minutes later Mark and Maureen came down the stairs hand in hand. It was a sight that made Mimi happy and sad at the same time. Happy because her friends were happy and in love. Sad because she used to picture her and Roger like that.
"So Mimi what can we do for you?" Mark asked her. Mimi took a minute to collect herself.
"Okay you guys, you know I'm due in about three weeks. I went to see my doctor today and he told me I'm dying." Maureen gasped loudly and Mark shushed her.
"Come on Re Re" Mimi said kindly. "I was supposed to die a year and a half ago. Anyway, I'm going to have my baby and then I'm going to die."
"How do you know all this Mimi?" Mark asked.
"My doctor told me today. The point is that I want Roger to get the baby when I die. i want him to have some one to care for."
"So what do you want us to do?"
Mimi sighed "We all know that Roger isn't the most responsible person, so I'm asking you guys to look out for him and my child. Don't let him feed her Mac and Cheese and chips all the time."
"Her?" Maureen asked "Oh Mimi, you're having a girl? That's wonderful!"
"Yeah" Mimi said sadly "I wish I could stay around and see her and see Roger attempt to handle this."
Maureen got up and hugged Mimi tightly. "I love you Mimi" she said.
"I love you too Maureen, thank you for being my friend." Mimi said back. "And thank you too Mark, for encouraging Roger. Stay beside him okay? He needs you." She broke off coughing loudly.
"Mimi stay here tonight okay?" Maureen said. "We'll take care of you."
"Alright" Mimi said softly. Mark took her to their guest room. At 9:15 that night night Mimi went into labor.