July 5th, 2004

Today had been an extremely tough day for everyone in the morgue. There had been a bus crash and thirty people had been sent to them. It was very over whelming for them all. Lily hated telling that many people that their loved ones had died. She needed a breather so she made her way up to the roof. She leaned against the building and just took in a deep breath. Someone else was up there. She could hear someone crying.

"Hello?" Lily looked around the corner and saw Peter, "Peter?" He stood up, wiped his eyes, and turned around.

"Oh, Lily, Hey." He smiled weakly. Lily took a couple steps towards him.

"Were you crying?" She asked. Peter chuckled and shook his head.

"No." He told her looking off the roof. "It's amazing. There are millions of people out there walking around. They're having a good time. Maybe some are partying. Someday, we'll see them. They probably think it'll be in fifty or sixty years, but it could be tomorrow."

"We're closed for more bodies tomorrow." Lily told him. He glanced over his shoulder to her.

"You know what I mean." he said. Lily nodded standing by him now.

"I know what you mean." She said, "But why were you crying?"

"I wasn't crying." Peter insisted. Lily frowned.

"There's no use lying, Peter. I heard you." She said, "Is something wrong? You can talk to me. I won't tell anyone." Peter turned around and sat down on the roof. Lily sat down next to him.

"Today sucked." He whispered. Lily nodded. She didn't speak. She wanted to give him a chance. He needed to get something out. "I wanted to scream. Thirty bodies. That's not fair. I love my job, don't get me wrong, Lily. I just…it was just too much. It makes me want to go out and…use."

"Peter, no. It's not worth using or drinking again. You'll wind up right where they are." Lily told him as she touched his hand. He glanced at her hand and nodded.

"I know that." He whispered. "I've come too far."

"Yes you have." Lily told him, "I don't want to see you go back down that road. You should call your sponsor." Peter shook his head.
"I don't have one anymore." He looked at her. "Figures huh?"

"Well, I'm here. You can lean on me." Lily smiled softly. Peter was grateful she was here.
"Thank you." He whispered.

"I'll do anything for you, Peter. You're my friend. I like you. I don't want to see you fall." Lily explained, "I will be here for you." Peter smiled.

"I want to go." Peter said standing up. He pulled Lily to her feet. She chuckled softly.

"Okay. We'll go for a walk. It's a nice night out." Lily said going to the door. Peter smiled again. Maybe an evening with Lily would make him feel better.

The Esplanade was so beautiful at night. The water didn't look dirty. You didn't see how messy people had left it the night before during the huge Fourth of July celebrations.

"It's so beautiful." Lily looked up to the sky. "Thanks for the walk."

"No problem." Peter said. "Did you do anything special last night?"
"I watched the Pops on TV." She chuckled with embarrassment, "With some cookie dough ice cream." Peter nodded.

"Me too. Although mine was mint." he winked. Lily giggled, "I really don't do those kind of events anymore. I used to." Lily nodded. She understood why. "My ex and I did a lot of entertaining around the holidays."

"So, it wasn't really all those bodies that got you upset. It was your memories that did." Lily said to him. He chuckled softly.

"You're good with your job." Peter told her.

"I know." Lily winked, "is there anything you want to talk about?"
"No. I just want to enjoy your company." He said pulling her to a park bench. Peter settled down, "You know I like you too. I appreciate everything that you're doing for me…giving up your evening to spend it with me."

"Trust me. I had nothing planned." Lily laughed.
"Now that's hard for me to believe. No boyfriend or anything?" He asked her. Lily shook her head.

"Nope. I have been taking a break from dating. I wanted to get my career going before any relationships." She told him. Peter nodded.

"Me too. I wanted to wait a year, plus NA rules. No relationships for a year." Peter said.
"Same here. I gave myself a year." Lily chuckled, "it's been hell."

"Oh yes it has." Peter chuckled. Their chuckles faded and silence overcame them. Both of them hadn't been in a relationship in a year. Both didn't have the closeness with another human that they needed. Peter could almost hear Lily's heart beat. He chuckled again. "The tension."

"There's no tension between us is there?" Lily asked looking at him.

"Probably the kind we shouldn't indulge." Peter leaned forward looking out to the water. Lily nodded. So, he was talking about sexual tension. It had been awhile for Lily. she was willing to indulge, but not with Peter during his time of need.

"Are you ready to move on with another woman?" She asked him.

"I used to think no." he said. "But I miss companionship." Lily nodded.

"Everyone needs it. It's nothing to be ashamed of to ask for it." Lily took his hand. "It's a basic human need." Peter stroked her hand with his thumb.
"I should walk you home. It's getting sort of late." He said standing back up, not letting go of her hand. Lily looked at him as they walked. He seemed to be deep in thought. She knew he had been through a lot in his life. "Do you work tomorrow?"

"No. I thankfully have a day off." Lily said. She needed the time off for her own sanity.

"Well then, want to go get some ice-cream with me. Unless you're on a diet." Peter said.
"Do I need to go on a diet?" Lily smirked.

"No no. Definitely not, but it's like everyone is on a diet nowadays." He stumbled over his words.

"I'm not on a diet. I love my sugar and carbs." She said, "I would love to have some ice-cream with you, Peter." Peter looked down at her. His heart skipped a beat. Peter had missed the feeling in his chest. It had been too long.

"Fantastic." He said. Lily watched the goofy grin spread across his face. It was nice to see that.

"I'm right down the street." She said pointing ahead of them. Peter nodded.

"Expansive part of town." Peter pointed out.

"You're telling me." Lily groaned, "My apartment isn't anything special though, but it's next to the green line."

"That's good though." Peter squeezed her hand. It felt good holding another woman's hand. Lily pulled him to her apartment building and up the stairs.

"Well, this is me." She said, "Thank you for the walk."

"Thank you for being a friend." Peter told her.

"Anytime." Lily said, "I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

"Me too." Peter said. He leaned over and kissed her cheek softly. Lily took in a sharp breath. Peter pulled away, "Sleep tight, Lil."

"you too." She unlocked the front door and stepped in. Lily glanced back at Peter as she shut the front door. She truly hoped her company helped him. She didn't want to see him go down hill. She cared too much for him.