Chapter 3: An Angel in the Moonlight
Three weeks have passed since the start of September. Roger still kept busy with work while Courtney went to school at St. Patrick's private school. He was still hesitant at the decision of enrolling his daughter in a private catholic school. However, he did it for the sake of April since his wife grew up as a Catholic and he wanted to instill his wife's religious beliefs with Courtney. But Roger didn't share any religious beliefs nor didn't he find any interest in finding spiritual relief. His friends had their own spiritual beliefs, but what good would that do for him?
"Daddy is it okay I give you something?" Courtney asked as he dropped her off, "It's a present for you."
"Okay sure sweetie what is it?" Roger asked. Courtney pulled out a small necklace with a tiny medallion on it, "I thought…it would be nice for you to have it as a present from me. It could help you."
"I see…it's pretty thoughtful of you," Roger replied looking a bit bewildered, "Where did you get it?"
"We had a mass yesterday and they were gave us these necklaces as a token to start off the school year," Courtney said, "This one is St. Michael, the Archangel. They said he's the protector and guardian angel of heaven. I thought…you would want it. Mommy is my guardian angel and I thought you need one too. That's why they said St. Michael protects those who are in despair. Everyone needs an angel to look after them right daddy?"
"I…guess so if that is what you me to believe? I would believe anything you want me to believe? But I'm really sorry sweetie…but I'm not really into this whole spiritual stuff."
"You can try at least," Courtney replied, "For me at least."
"I really appreciate the gesture Courtney…for you I'll try," Roger slightly smiled, "Thank you I promise to treasure it. C'mon tiny you got to get going. Remember, I made arrangements for your Aunt Maureen and Joanne to pick you up after school. Uncle Mark is working overnight today and I won't be home until late."
"Yeah I know the drill I'm spending the afternoon at Aunt Maureen and Aunt Joanne's place until 7pm and then they're taking me to the community center for my dance lessons. You promise you pick me up?"
"No later than 8:30pm at the latest," Roger said, "I promise you I won't be late."
"That's what you always say," Courtney sighed, "Daddy promise me this time."
"I swear on my necklace I won't be late. Honey believe me okay? Besides, we would have to take the bus home since I need to leave the car at the shop for the night. They need to change the oil okay? Have a good day at school."
"Daddy…please be thoughtful I did give you a present," Courtney said as she headed off inside when the school bell rang. Roger sat in the car for a moment staring at the necklace his daughter gave him. His daughter had her spiritual beliefs and he felt disappointed that he wasn't able to relate to her.
"Mommy is my guardian angel and I thought you need one too. That's why they said St. Michael protects those who are in despair. Everyone needs an angel to look after them right daddy?" The whole idea of someone watching over him wasn't for Roger to believe in. It had been five years later and still Roger couldn't find any sanctuary in his life. He was sitting in the studio doing some editing with the mixes on some of the songs he finished producing. He spent nearly the whole day in the studo. He was still staring at the necklace the entire day and still bewildered. "It will take more than an angel to fix things. I'm sorry Courtney I can't share your beliefs…but I'll try for your sake." Suddenly his pager went off and it meant it was time for him to take his AZT medication.
His HIV was one of the biggest secrets he kept from his daughter. Everything about his life before Courtney was kept from her. The fact that him and April used to be junkies and their extensive drug using gave them HIV was one downfall in his life. When they found out they were expecting Courtney 6 years ago, Roger feared what would happen once she was born. He was scared that she would too be infected but luckily she wasn't thanks to the extensive amount of AZT medication April was on during the pregnancy. That was what Roger thought every single day when his judgment day would come. Every month he would go in for his regular checkups to see how he was doing. It was the same results that extended his life, however he wasn't sure if he deserved to live.
"Roger Davis, call on line one," the secretary paged.
"Thanks Hannah I got it," Roger said picking up his phone, "Hello Roger Davis speaking?"
"Gee Roger you sound like a fruit saying that," Maureen replied on the other end, "Anyways we're calling just to tell you that Courtney is with us and it's almost six o'clock so we're taking her to dance class."
"I really appreciate this you two," Roger replied, "I'm nearly done for today and I finished up early. I promise Courtney I'd be there no later than 8:30pm and for the first time…I can keep my promise fully."
"Finally Roger Davis is taking some responsibility," Maureen teased.
"Oh give me a break," Roger replied, "Anyways give my little miracle girl my love okay?"
"Sure will," Maureen said hanging up, "Take care Roger. We'll talk to you later."
About half an hour later, Roger left the office early and took the bus to pick up Courtney at the community center from her dance lessons. It was dark outside and walking to the community center at this time of hour was pretty hostile. Despite it being only about a fifteen to twenty minute walk from their house, Roger still hated walking the street not knowing what kind of people are out and about. He had his labtop computer and his palm pilot on him to double check the scheduling for the bands performing at the House of Blues.
"Hey pretty boy you got some smack?" a random junkie asked.
"What the hell? Sorry I don't," Roger snapped, "I need to pick up my daughter so I'm late."
"C'mon dude just hand it over!" another guy asked grabbing his arm.
"Touch me again and I'll call the cops!" Roger snapped pulling his arm, "I need to get my daughter!"
"Bloody bastard! Get back here!"
Suddenly he found one of the junkies trying to snatch his bag with his labtop in it and Roger started pushing the junkie. The next minute the other guy grabbed his arm again and soon he found himself being beaten and manhandled by these random junkies. Roger began to run towards the alleyway and soon the junkies caught up with him and they began to punch and kick the daylight out of him. Roger fell unconscious bleeding from his nose and scratched and bruised up after those junkies ran off with his stuff. "Oh sweetie…I'm sorry again for not showing up again. I think…I could…use that guardian angel right now."
Meanwhile at the Community Centre it had been over half an hour since dance classes ended and Courtney was still waiting for Roger. Everyone had left except for Courtney and her dance teacher. She looked disappointed again and stared at the clock seeing that her father was overdue to pick her up. It was fortunate that Mimi was teaching the class, but she didn't know much about Courtney.
"You still are waiting for your dad Courtney?" Mimi asked.
"He's suppose to be here before 8:30pm and it's been over half an hour," Courtney sighed, "I knew he would be late…but he would try to be here on time. But knowing this time of the hour it's not good to be outside daddy said. You wouldn't know who could be out there."
"I'm sure he'll be here," Mimi assured the girl.
"It's not that…something's not right," Courtney sighed, "He would call but I tried calling daddy but no one is not picking up."
"Maybe…I can take you home and maybe your dad might be there? Where about do you live?"
"I live near 11th street and Avenue B," Courtney replied, "It's down in those loft buildings."
"Hey me too I live around there," Mimi smiled, "We'll go home together and you can see if your dad might be home." The two of them were walking home from the community center together and Courtney was hoping her dad would probably be home. Once they arrived home, Courtney went upstairs to see if her dad was already home.
"Daddy? Are you home?" Courtney called out, "Daddy? It's Courtney! Are you home? Despite the fact you forgot to pick me up, Miss Marquez walked me home! Daddy where are you?"
Meanwhile Mimi was unlocking her door to get into her apartment when suddenly she heard someone stumbling inside into the building and coughing. "Hello?" Mimi called out, "Is anyone there? Hello?" Mimi slowly went down the stairs and then suddenly she was startled by a bloody and beaten man as he suddenly collapsed out of exhaustion. Mimi grasped as she figured she caught Roger from falling down the stairs.
"Oh god I'm home," Roger slowly whispered, "Home…sweet…home…"
"Oh my god Roger!" Mimi grasped as she tried helping him up the stairs, "What…happened?"
"You…an angel?" Roger whispered in pain, "Are you…"
"Miss Marquez my dad isn't home yet can I…DADDY!" Courtney called out in fear as she saw Mimi trying to help Roger up the stairs towards their apartment, "DADDY!"
"Is Roger your father Courtney?" Mimi asked as they got him in the apartment, "C'mon Roger just stay with me you're home. Courtney help me get him to the couch."
"Oh daddy," Courtney cried, "Are you okay? What happened to you?"
"I'm…sorry sweetie…I was late…I'm sorry…" Roger said trailing in and out of consciousness.
"Please help him Miss Marquez," Courtney begged.
"Roger stay with me here c'mon we'll get you cleaned up," Mimi said as she found some towels and bandages, "Roger what happened tonight?"
"Got robbed…beaten…by junkies…they took my stuff…" Roger said in pain, "It hurts…too much…it hurts…"
"Courtney I need to you to find the bandages you might keep around the place," Mimi demanded, "Hurry! I'm going to clean up your dad!"
Roger was drifting in and out of consciousness that he couldn't even see straight. Mimi spent the next hour cleaning Roger's wounds and bruises up. He was in pretty bad shape and she was wrapping numerous bandages on him. Courtney was desperate to stay awake by her dad's side, but the little girl was already out for the night. Mimi had no choice but to tuck the girl into bed too and spend the night tending to Roger. While Mimi was cleaning him up, Roger was beginning to trail off despite the pain he was he was delusional at the moment due to the herbal medicine Mimi used on him.
"Courtney!" Roger bolted up in pain, "Argh!"
"Whoa take it easy Roger you're hurt," Mimi replied, "Courtney's safe I assure you. I walked her home and she's asleep in bed." Roger was beginning to daze out again after Mimi gave him more herbal rubbing medication to treat his wounds and scrapes.
"Are…you an angel?" Roger whispered, "You're…looking after me aren't you? You're watching over me and my daughter?"
"Thank god you're healing," Mimi smiled applying the bandages around his abdomen, "Here take it easy. You've had a rough night. You've been beaten and robbed. Thank god you were lucky enough to make it back here so we could find you. I'm glad you're okay."
"Your smile…like an angel in the moonlight," Roger smiled but Mimi wasn't sure if he knew it was her, "An angel in the moonlight watching over me. Please…don't leave tonight I need a miracle more than ever."
"Don't worry Roger…I'm not going anywhere tonight," Mimi said squeezing his hand light, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay till you get well. Get some rest Roger."
"Tell Courtney…thank you for me…my little miracle girl…," Roger smiled as he fell unconscious again but this time asleep, "Always knows…about divine intervention…my angel in the moonlight who saved me."
"You're safe now I promise you that," Mimi smiled applying the last bandage around his head as she fell asleep afterwards, "An angel in the moonlight…that's cute of him to say that for a man maybe delusion from all that herbal medicine I used."
