Chapter 7:

Crying, Maureen sat on the edge of the bed with a razor held to her wrist. She was in constant pain that she couldn't handle anymore. This seemed to be the only way out. It was easy enough to do; after all, April had been successful in it so long ago. The bedroom door opened. Maureen's head jerked up. Joanne stood frozen in the doorway for a few seconds. Finally, she spoke up.

"Don't do this," she said slowly and firmly. Tears rolled down Maureen's cheeks.

"I can't take it anymore. This is too much for me."

"Maureen, I love you. This is a permanent decision. Think about April." Maureen stopped. The pain April had caused them, especially Roger, had been devastating. "Just give me the razor, and I'll take care of you." Maureen chocked out a sob.

"I can't do this. I can't stand being in so much pain all the time."

"You're so close to getting better. Things can only get better for you. Come on, Maureen, give me the razor. You don't want to do this." Maureen's hand with the razor in it fell into her lap. Joanne went over and wrapped her arms around Maureen. She gently pried the razor out of her and threw it across the room. Maureen buried her face in Joanne's chest. "Its okay, it's okay."

"I can't stand being like this."

"I know, baby. You're so close to getting clean. I'm so proud of you." Joanne gently laid Maureen down and covered her up with a comforter. Before she left the room, she grabbed the razor off the floor. She couldn't risk Maureen having another episode.

Several days later, Maureen trudged out of the bedroom in surfer shorts and a tank top. She sat down against the wall and closed her eyes. Joanne kept one eye on her and one eye on the case she was working on. Maureen began to bang her head against the wall. Joanne got up and slid her hand between Maureen's head and the wall.

"Don't do that, Honeybear. You'll hurt yourself," she said kindly. Joanne kissed Maureen's forehead when she stopped. "There you go. You feel a little warm; let's get you to the couch." Joanne got Maureen to her feet and guided her over to the couch.

"Can I have a sandwich?" Joanne had Maureen lie down.

"Of course." Maureen rolled onto her stomach and let her left arm dangle over the edge of the couch.

Joanne was in the kitchen making Maureen a sandwich when someone knocked on the door. Joanne stopped what she was doing and answered the door.

"Hi Roger," she said cheerfully as she gave Roger a hug. "What brings you here?"

"Mimi sent me so you can have a break."

"Come on in." Roger followed Joanne inside. Maureen looked up and smiled weakly.

"Hey Roger," she said.

"Hey yourself." Roger leaned over and kissed Maureen's cheek softly. "How are you feeling?" Maureen groaned. Joanne finished making Maureen her sandwich and put it on the coffee table.

"Honeybear, I'm going to go lie down for a little while, okay?" Maureen nodded. Joanne pecked her on the lips and retreated to the master bedroom.

Roger sat on the armchair and crossed his legs. Maureen sat up and nibbled on the sandwich Joanne had made her.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked Roger.

"Sure, what's up?"
"Why did you start using smack?" Letting out a sigh, Roger leaned back in his chair. He took a few seconds to collect his thoughts before replying.

"I guess it was because everyone else around me at the clubs was doing it." Roger paused. "Hell, Maureen, I don't know. Why?"

"I need a reason, for me. I've been trying to come up with a reason for the pills, but I can't. I was hoping that your reason would turn out to be the same reason as yours."

"I guess, sometimes there's not a real reason. People fuck up their lives for no reason at all." Maureen pulled a blanket from the back of the couch around her.

"I guess so." Maureen lay down and closed her eyes, and Roger turned on the TV.

When Maureen woke up a few hours later, Roger was gone. She found a note on the coffee table I his uneven scrawl.

Mo, I head a gig to go to. I'll see you later. Roger. Maureen put the not on the table and went into the bedroom.

Joanne was curled up on her side of the bed, fast asleep. Maureen lay down next to her and rested her head on her chest. Moaning, Joanne opened her eyes.

"Where's Roger?" she asked sleepily as she wrapped her arms around Maureen's waist.

"He had a gig," Maureen replied. Joanne kissed the top of her head. Maureen nuzzled her chest affectionately. "I love you," she muttered contently.

"I love you too." Joanne tightened her grip on Maureen and held her as close as possible.

A/N: Next chapter is the last!

Tina101