Chapter 4:

Maureen barely left the couch. She would spend her days staring straight ahead with her blanket drawn tightly around her. While Collins was at work, Mimi would stop by to be with her.

"Hey sweetie," she cooed as she kissed Maureen's cheek softly. "How are you?" Maureen moaned.

"Horrible, I feel horrible. I need a smoke."

"No way, you can't smoke and kill your baby." Maureen rolled her eyes. "Say Roger and I quit smoking along with you?" Maureen sat up.

"You'd really do that for me?"
"Yeah, of course. We're your good friends, we're here to help." Maureen smiled gratefully at the sign of support.

Collins picked up the phone on his desk in what was supposedly his office. It was more like a small storage closet with a desk and chair jammed against the far wall. Collins dialed the number to Joanne's office.

"Joanne Jefferson's office," Joanne said after several rings.

"Hey Jo, it's Collins."

"Oh hi Collins, how are you?"

"I'm pretty good. I'm actually calling you about Maureen." Collins heard Joanne take a deep breath. "She's really depressed, and I'm really worried about her."
"I'm sorry Collins, but there's nothing I can do."
"You could talk to her. I'm tutoring this evening, so it'll just be you two."
"I don't know…"

"Please, for Maureen and her baby. Just go see her, I think that it'll be good for you both." Joanne let out a sigh.

"Okay, I'll go," she agreed slowly. She said goodbye to Collins, and they both went back to their respective jobs.

There was a knock on the door. Maureen raised her head. If it were someone important, they'd come back later. Now, it sounded like someone was unlocking the door. Maureen lay back down and closed her eyes. She heard footsteps and felt someone sit on the edge of the couch next to her. The person gently ran their fingers through her hair. Maureen opened her eyes. She was surprised to see Joanne sitting next to her.

"Did I wake you?" Joanne asked. Maureen shook her head.

"No, I was already awake." Joanne continued to run her fingers through Maureen's matted hair.

"How are you?"
"Lonely."
"I know, I miss you too."

"Then why did you kick me out?"
"Because you cheated on me! I don't know if I can trust you." Maureen sat up.

"Please, Joanne, I messed up, and I admit that. This is my entire fault. Please take me back." Joanne shook her head. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I can't." With that said, Joanne got up to leave. Maureen rushed after her.

"Joanne! Please!" Maureen fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands. Sobs shook her entire body. Joanne froze, her hand hovering above the doorknob. Her heartstrings were being tugged at with unimaginable strength. She went over and wrapped her arms around Maureen. "Don't leave me, please don't leave me," Maureen sobbed. Joanne rubbed her back soothingly.

"I'm not baby, I'm not," she promised. "I'm not leaving you."

Collins opened the door to his apartment. He was surprised to find Joanne and Maureen curled up together on the couch, fast asleep. He smiled to himself and covered them up with the spare blanket. Maybe now that Maureen and Joanne were back together, things would be different