Healing

by Effulgent13

Mark Cohen's sister has been missing for the last three years. She left one year after having showed up at his doorstep unannounced looking for his help. Now she's back. Rachel Cohen is older and wiser and this time Mark's the one who needs her. Can he forgive her for running away and accept the help she's willing to give? More importantly, how does Roger Davis fit into the story?

26. Chapter 26

Is anybody out there? I know it's been FOREVER and I am so sorry. Life's been busy. Here's a little update for those of you who are still following. Feel free to let me know if you're still here and what you think. Thanks!

Chapter 26

"Last night did happen, didn't it?" he asked when he saw her sitting by the window the next morning.

She smiled at him, the sun creating a beautiful halo around her hair. He shook his head to get the image out of his head. "Yeah, it did."

He walked up to her and leaned down to kiss her forehead, then sat down in the spot beside her. "You're incredible."

She shrugged. "I try."

He took her hand in his, "No, I mean it. Most women, they can't deal. They find out and they run."

"Roger, it wasn't the HIV that made me angry, or the drugs. It was that you lied to me."

"I didn't…"

"By omission. You lied by omission."

He hung his head. She lowered hers to make eye contact with him. "So don't lie to me anymore. I want to know you. The real Roger Davis, not the guy you wish you were."

He looked at her and said, "You make me feel something I haven't felt in a long time. You're innocent and sweet and you're not jaded. I wanted to be the same for you."

"But that's not what I like about you, it's not what I want. If that were what I wanted then I would have stayed home."

Roger shook his head. "Be careful what you wish for."

"You've lived your life, you've made your choices, so why are you trying to stop me from making mine?"

"Look at me, look where all that living got me."

"That doesn't mean the same things will happen to me. I'm capable of making different choices, especially now that I know where the wrong ones will take me." She grabbed his hand. "That's why you should talk to me. Knowing you is so important to me, you can help me Rog, you can come with me on this new adventure."

"I'm not going to be who you want me to be," she told him. "This perfect little girl wants a taste of life. I want to be sure that you're okay with that and that you're willing to stick around and help me."

He squeezed her hand. "Okay. I can do that. As long as you let me hold your hand."

She nodded and smiled when he leaned his head on her shoulder. She couldn't help but ruffle his hair and he took her hand and kissed it.

"So, what are we going to do today?" he asked.