CHAPTER TEN
(chapter title - Hanging On For Dear Life)
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say -
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lizzie, Ming-Na and Roger agreed to meet Steve, Sara and Paul at the Life Café at eight o'clock the following evening.
"Lizzie, before we go, I wanted to wish you a happy anniversary." Roger told his wife, gently taking her hand in his. Lizzie brushed a piece of dark hair behind her ear and followed Roger to the couch. Ming-Na was still taking her nap, so the couple didn't want to wake her up just yet.
"Sit down." Roger told her. Lizzie sat upon the couch and watched Roger go into the room that they shared. He brought out his guitar and sat in the chair next to the couch.
"This song is called Your Eyes and I originally wrote this for my wife, Mimi, but I re-wrote it so that it could be for you." Roger explained.
"Your eyes
As we said our goodbyes
Can't get them out of my mind
And I find I can't hide from your eyes
The ones that took me by surprise
The night you came into my life
Where there's moonlight I see your eyes
How'd I let you slip away
When I'm longing so to hold you
Now I'd die for one more day
'Cause there's something I should have told you
Yes, there's something I should have told you
When I looked into your eyes
Why does distance make us wise?
You wee the song all along
And before the song dies
I should tell you I should tell you
I have always loved you
You can see it in my eyes
Lizzie." Roger sang. Lizzie felt tears in her eyes as her wonderful husband sang the sweet words to her.
"Roger. That was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me." Lizzie told him after he was done singing. Roger smiled and kissed her cheek.
After they woke Ming-Na up from her nap, they were on their way to the Life Café when Lizzie got a call on her cell. She excused herself and walked a little slower behind Roger and Ming-Na.
"Hello?" she said into the receiver.
"Lizzie - it's Maureen." Maureen sounded like she was going to cry.
"Hey Maureen. What's wrong?"
"I got a phone call from the hospital - apparently, Mark was taken in after he fell off of his bike in the middle of traffic." Maureen told her.
"Oh my God! Is he going to be okay?" Lizzie inquired. Roger stopped walking and turned around. Lizzie mouthed 'Maureen' to him.
"He's in a coma." Maureen sobbed. Lizzie almost dropped the phone, but instead she fell into his strong arms. He let go of Ming-Na's hand so that he could hold Lizzie.
"We'll be right there. Tell him to hold on." Lizzie told her friend, clicking her phone shut. She then looked into her husband's eyes and sobbed.
"Shh. Shh." Roger soothed, stroking Lizzie's hair. Ming-Na stood by her parents, not really knowing what was going on.
After Lizzie calmed down, she told Roger what was going on with Mark and Maureen.
After calling Steve on his cell phone to tell him that they couldn't make it because something came up. Steve was totally fine with them missing dinner - he said that they could do something tomorrow.
Arriving at the hospital, Lizzie instantly found Maureen with Tracie and Thomas.
"How is he?" Lizzie asked, hugging Maureen.
"You can see him. I'll watch Ming-Na for you." Maureen told her friends. Roger nodded and put an arm around Lizzie's waist as Lizzie told Ming-Na that she and Roger were going to visit Mark and they would be back soon.
"He's in room 1113 B." Maureen said as she and the kids sat down on four of the uncomfortable hospital chairs.
"Thanks." Roger thanked her and led Lizzie to the elevator. They got in and pressed floor number eleven.
They stood in silence, listening to the annoying elevator music. The doors opened on floor eleven and the two of them headed to Mark's room. Lizzie tried so hard to hide her tears, but it looked like that Roger was having a more difficult time.
"Babe, you okay?" Lizzie asked, gently squeezing his hand. Roger drew in a deep breath and nodded his head, kissing Lizzie's temple.
As they entered the room, Roger had tears in his eyes. Lying on the bed before them, was Mark clad in a white hospital gown that was as white as the sheets on top of him. He was hooked up to all sorts of machines that were beeping, buzzing and humming.
"Oh God." Lizzie sobbed as she sat down next to Mark's bed. Roger sat in the chair next to Lizzie and fought back tears.
"I hope he'll be okay." Roger told his wife. Lizzie nodded her head and carefully squeezed one of Mark's hands.
The two of them sat in silence, occasionally talking to the doctor or Maureen and the kids who came to sit with them.
Around midnight, Mark was starting to go downhill. His breathing was slowing and Maureen feared that this would be the end.
Lizzie had always considered Mark to be like another brother to her - he was so kind, warm and often took her out filming with him. He shared stories of Mimi, Angel and Collins - three friends of theirs that they had lost to HIV.
Roger didn't know what he would do if he lost his best friend - he would probably go back to his old ways - shooting himself up, drinking and avoiding everyone. He and Mark had been there for each other through the good times and the bad. They were in each other's weddings and were the godparents of their children. If Mark died, Roger would do anything he could to be with his friend.
At one, the doctor came in and shooed everyone out - even Maureen. Maureen tried to put up a fight, but she was too tired. Roger found his car and gathered everyone in it before driving to the loft.
Lizzie had woken up to make herself some tea at three in the morning when the phone rang. Deciding to let the answering machine get it, Lizzie engrossed herself in a book called A Streetcar Named Desire - her favorite book.
"Hello, this is Dr. Rowell calling from Bailey Hospital. Mark Cohen listed this number under phone number. I'm calling to say that he's not making progress and we are forced to pull the plug soon…."