Letting out a strangled sob, Mimi curled up in a fetal position and squeezed her eyes shut. She felt Roger pick her up and hold her close. Roger stroked Mimi's hair and kissed her cheek. Tears spilled down her cheeks. Mimi buried her face in the nape of Roger's neck and continued to sob. Her body shook horribly, partially from the sobs and partially from fear. Mimi felt Roger rock her back and forth to calm her down. She clung to Roger for dear life. Their bare skin was pressed together, creating warmth. Mimi felt her eyes get heavy. She felt Roger lay her down and cover her exposed body up. Mimi allowed herself to slip into a light, reluctant sleep.
Mimi opened her eyes and rolled over. Roger was sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. Mimi sat up, holding a blanket to her chest.
"Roger, what's wrong?" she asked sleepily as she rubbed Roger's back with her free hand. Roger looked up. He seemed distracted. Mimi kissed his shoulder.
"Nothing, I'm fine." Mimi wrapped her arms around Roger's neck from behind. "I should be worried about you."
"Don't be, I can take care of myself." Mimi buried her face in Roger's unruly hair and inhaled. Just the smell of Roger relaxed her.
Joanne scanned the computer screen. All the cases were the same, self-defense cases that had gotten off. One case in particular caught Joanne's attention. A thirteen year old girl name Marcia Marquez stabbed her step-father when he tried to attack her eight years ago. There was a school photo attached to the article. Joanne gasped. She was young, but sure enough, it was Mimi. Joanne printed out the article to show Mimi. At the moment, her mind was reeling. Could this terrible event be the cause of the horrific nightmares Roger told everyone Mimi's been suffering from?
The phone ran, shattering Joanne's thoughts of what's wrong with Mimi. Joanne printed out the article while she answered the phone.
"Joanne Jefferson."
"Joanne, hey, it's Damian." Joanne continued to read the article. "I need you to take Brooklyn for the night."
"Fine, she can come with me to a friend's for dinner tonight. Everyone's been dying to meet her."
"Maybe you should take her another night if you're busy." Joanne sighed. She knew that Damian didn't want Brooklyn to spend time with the Bohemians.
"No, no, it's fine. If Brooklyn's going to spend more time with me, she should meet my friends."
"Are you sure?"
"Its fine, Damian. Just make sure she has extra clothes and all, its cold out."
"I will. I'll drop her by your place around six thirty, okay?"
"Yeah, I have to go, Damian, I'm in the middle of a case."
"Okay. I'll see you later this evening." Joanne said goodbye to Damian and hung up the phone. She was excited about having Brooklyn for the night…finally.
Mark was sitting on the couch with Arianna curled up next to him with her head on his shoulder. Their lips met in a passionate kiss. Mark stroked Arianna's cheek with his thumb.
"You're the most beautiful woman in the world," he whispered in her ear. There was another passionate kiss. Arianna lay down and pulled Mark on top of her.
"I want you, Mark," she commanded.
"Are you sure?" Arianna's hands slid under Mark's sweater. Her touch was slightly hesitant.
"Of course, I trust you." Mark straddled Arianna and continued where they had left off.
Joanne had just gotten changed out of her work clothes when the doorbell rang. Joanne rushed out of the bedroom to answer the door. Damian was standing there with Brooklyn.
"Mama!" Brooklyn exclaimed as she threw her arms around Joanne in a huge hug.
"Hey sweetie," Joanne said.
"I'll pick her up tomorrow at eight thirty to take her to school," Damian said stiffly.
"I'll take her; it's on my way to work anyway." Damian gave Brooklyn a kiss.
"Bye sweetie, I'll see you tomorrow morning," he said before leaving. Joanne pursed her lips into a fine line and guided Brooklyn inside.
Maureen looked up from filing her nails. Brooklyn was a small girl with Joanne's mocha skin and her hair in two French braids.
"Brooklyn, this is my girlfriend, Maureen," Joanne said. Maureen waved.
"Hi Brooklyn."
"Hi," Brooklyn said shyly.
"Mo, about ready to go?" Maureen put the nail file on the coffee table and stood up.
"Where are we going, Mama?" Brooklyn asked.
"To our friend's house for dinner. We're having pizza."
"That's my favorite!"
"I know. Come on, let's go." Joanne took Brooklyn's hand, and they left with Maureen for the loft.
At the loft, Brooklyn sat on Joanne's lap eating a slice of pizza. She liked her mother's friends, they were nice. Brooklyn leaned against Joanne.
"You want another slice of pizza, sweetie?" Angel asked her. Brooklyn shook her head.
"I'm full," she replied before popping her thumb in her mouth. Joanne rubbed her back. It was almost surreal that Brooklyn was here with her.
Mimi was stretched out across the couch with her head in Roger's lap. Her breathing was even and relaxed a sign that she was getting some real sleep. Roger stroked her long hair. Arianna was sitting on the floor, leaning against Mark's leg. Everyone else had left for the night.
"I should really get going," Roger said as he carefully stood up. Mimi moaned but remained fast asleep. Roger picked her up, holding her bridal style. "Could someone get the door, please?"
"Oh, here," Arianna said as she scrambled to her feet. She slid open the door and watched Roger carry Mimi downstairs after he said goodbye. Mark wrapped his arms around Arianna's waist from behind.
"Do you want to stay for the night?" he asked.
"I think I'm going to go home. Maybe another night." Arianna turned around and gave Mark a quick kiss. She grabbed her jacket off the couch and climbed out the window. "See you tomorrow," she said before she left.
Arianna climbed down the fire escape. She stopped outside Roger and Mimi's apartment. Roger was helping a half-asleep Mimi get changed for bed. A tear slid down Arianna's cheek; she was lying to Mark. The two of them would never share the same compassion as any of their friends. Arianna rushed up to the roof, she needed to clear her head.
