Chapter 7: Home

Mark sat up in his hospital bed looking out in the window. He was unhooked

from the final IV and Dr. Studley allowed Mark to be discharged as long as he

followed her orders. He was told of his permanent handicap, on how he would

need oxygen hooked up to him, and how his body can't tell him anymore when

to breathe. Most people in this situation would sulk and forget about life. But

not Mark. He basically lived through disease, through his friends. He knew

that life was too precious to waste. When he looked in the mirror, he was still

the same Mark. The same crazy film maker, despite the wire hooked up to him.

The sun was about to set, creating a warm presence on Mark when he heard a

knock. He started to smile and adjusted himself.

"Come in Roger." he said, almost laughing.

Roger entered the room, carrying a bag of clothes that Mark could change into,

including the timeless striped scarf.

"Hey bud, how are you feeling?" he asked, sitting next to his friend.

Mark smiled "I'm doing fine."

Roger gave his friend a playful nudge, knowing that his friend was alright

again.

"Ready to blow this place?" he asked.

Mark laughed. "Hell yeah, give me my damn bag." he said.

Roger handed him his bag. "Do you need help Mark?" he asked, gesturing to

the oxygen tube.

"No, I'm fine." Mark said.

Skillfully, Mark got out of bed and wheeled the oxygen tube with him into the

bathroom. Roger smiled at his friend. Same old Mark. Always doing things by

himself. Yet this sort of scared Roger. What would happen if Mark woke up

again coughing and wheezing, and maybe didn't wake up? Roger refused to

think of such things, knowing that Mark was still strong.

"Roger." Mark called out.

Roger drew out of his thoughts and walked over to the door.

"What's wrong Mark?" Roger asked

"I'm done." Mark said as he walked out. He was dressed in a sweater and a

pair of slacks. He gently tied his scarf around his neck and put on his plaid

jacket. He smiled at his friend.

"Let's get out of here." Mark said.

Roger smiled at his friend. He put an arm around his friend and walked out the

door.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Welcome Home Mark!" the rest of the group shouted as Mark and Roger

entered the loft. The loft was clean and drinks were scattered throughout the

loft. Mark walked in the loft, hugged Mimi and the others and sat down. He

smiled as Maureen and Joanne started to hug him.

"You guys didn't have to do this." Mark said.

"Relax Marky." Maureen said. "You deserve everything."

Mark sighed. He knew that they had every right to celebrate. The thoughts still

lingered in his head on that body lying helpless in a coma; his body. He looked

around the loft and noticed that Roger left. Then he asked:

"Collins where is my camera?"

Collins shook his head as he walked over to his friend. He sat down next to

him, careful not to knock over the oxygen tube. Slowly, he said:

"Mark, your camera broke when the car hit you. We're gonna get you another

one, I promise."

Mark's face started to grow red, his face looking like it was about to cry. His

camera, his only poccession, gone. Mimi gave him a kiss on the cheek when

suddenly, Roger walked in. He held a large box, wrapped in blue paper. He

walked over to Mark and handed him the gift.

"Mark." He said. "This is for you."

Mark opened the box and nearly fell over. His camera, his black old camera,

was fixed. It had a new lens cap and its surface was polished and the scratches

were removed. Mark's eyes welled up as he hugged Collins. He didn't know

what to say. Yet silently, he whispered into Collins' ear. "Thank you." Collins

patted him on the back, and Roger gently ruffled Mark's hair.

The bohemians celebrated Mark's homecoming with plenty of Stoli and food.

Everyone was laughing, even Mark, whose alarm on his chest that beeped

whenever he forgot to breathe interrupted him at some moments. For the rest

of the night, no one reflected on illness, money or struggle. Instead, they were

all happy just to be together again. Once the guests left, the trio decided to go

to bed. While Mimi went into her and Roger's room, carefully hugging Mark

goodnight, Roger helped Mark attach the heart monitor to his chest. When all

was said and done, Roger went to sleep with Mimi, towards another day.

The next chapter will be up soon. I'm planning a couple more chapters. Basically, I'm just writing from what's in my head.