A/N Sorry this took so long, it has actually been almost done for awhile, but I didn't know how to end it. Thanks to Kait for looking it over and I'll try and be quicker next time! Comments are always appreciated.
It was a long night, one that rushed back to me as soon as I felt the pain in my head when I opened my eyes. "Oh God," I whispered to no one in particular.
"Here." A glass of water and a bottle of aspirin were handed to me. I nodded my thanks and struggled to open the bottle, while holding the glass and trying to keep my eyes closed. "Here, let me help you with that," Mark laughed as he took the bottle back, "how many do you want?"
"What's the legal limit?" I mumbled.
"Heh, like it matters to you." He shook out three and handed them to me, "Apparently laws don't mean much to you, huh?"
"Laws are only for those who believe in rules."
He laughed. "Man, that was some night. I can't believe you convinced the limo driver to take us to Atlantic City."
"Hey, like I said…"
"No's an answer." He stated with me. "I like that."
"Yeah, me too. My boyfriend Michael used to say that."
"Michael, huh? Where is he?"
"Heaven." I whispered, though I smiled at the thought.
"Oh, uh." Mark began rubbing the back of his neck and looking away.
"It's ok, Mark." I sat up further and looked at him. "Really."
He smiled at me, "Do you want something to eat? Dinner perhaps?"
"Dinner? What time is it?"
"Oh about seven, but considering we didn't get back here until noon."
I chuckled, "That's true. Are the others still sleeping?"
"Yeah, I think all three of them are going to sleep until tomorrow. They all got pretty wasted."
"You think? I mean, Maureen had to be pretty drunk to get up and start doing that strip tease at the club."
"Actually, Maureen was kind of sober then." Mark shrugged. "She doesn't have many inhibitions."
"You like that about her, huh?" I followed him into their small kitchen and watched him take out some bread and peanut butter.
"Oh yeah, I mean, I'm Mr. Inhibition, so being around her is amazing."
"I don't know about that Mark, you seemed to let go last night. Especially when you had your camera, it takes a lot of courage to cart that thing around and stick it in people's faces."
"I guess. I don't know, when I'm behind my camera, I can almost pretend I disappear. People don't ever see the filmmaker, you know? Just the camera."
"Well I noticed you, and I was glad you were there last night. You saved my ass."
"Nah, you would have been ok."
"I don't know. Those guys were really pissed that I won all their money. When they followed us out of the casino, I was a little worried. As soon as they saw your camera though, they took off."
"Yeah, well I'm sure the New Jersey Mob doesn't like their crimes filmed for prosperity."
I laughed, "No kidding. I just wonder why they didn't just go after you, too."
"Let's not over-analyze. How much did you win, anyway?" Mark asked me with an eyebrow raised.
"Oh, about three grand, which is good, because I need to find a real place to stay."
"What do you mean? You don't have a place?"
"No, I've been staying at a shelter for the past week, while I've been looking for a place."
"Well you found it," he stated matter of factly.
"Huh?" I looked at him, knowing what he was about to ask, but really surprised.
"Benny's bed is now empty, the four of us can't afford the rent on our own, and it makes sense."
"Maybe you should ask the others first."
"They won't care. April and you are already friends and Maureen adores you."
"What about Roger?" I asked solemnly, "I don't think he really liked me that much."
"Oh, he does. He just wasn't… himself last night."
"Because he was high, huh?"
Mark looked at me, "Yeah, how did you…"
"April. She didn't tell me directly, but I figured it out." I finished my sandwich and asked, "Does she use too?"
"No. I don't think so anyway."
"Poor thing," I stated to myself, more than Mark.
"Well, she knew what she was getting into when she started dating him." Mark said with a bitter tone.
"What do you mean?"
"Roger's a partier, always has been. They met each other at a club, so what did she expect? "
"Are you jealous?"
"Who me? Jealous? Of Roger?"
"No, I meant of April."
"What? No!" He stormed past me. "Why does everyone think that?"
"Hey, sorry, I didn't mean…"
"I mean, if I were gay, which I'm not, I wouldn't go for Roger of all people. Come on."
"Ok."
"Besides, I have Maureen. And seriously, have you looked at her? The woman is a Goddess and why would I give that up…"
"Ok."
"…to be with Roger, who is straight anyway, and completely in love with April and he can be such a bast…"
"Mark!" I grabbed his shoulders. "It's ok. I'm sorry I brought it up."
He pulled his shoulders away, "Yeah, alright." He seemed embarrassed now, and I felt bad. "So dinner."
"Yes, dinner. My treat." I smiled at him.
"I was hoping you would say that, those peanut butter sandwiches really sucked. I know this great place down the street, called The Life Café, have you been there?"
"No, but I'm a vegetarian…"
"Not a problem."
"Ok great, I just have to make a stop at the pharmacy before we go, ok?" I pulled the small piece of paper out of my pants to make sure I still had it.
"Yeah, of course."
On the way out the door, I noticed April's bag sitting next to the door. I knew she hadn't gotten her prescription filled either. "Hey Mark, one second." I picked up her bag and shuffled through it.
"What are you doing?" Mark grabbed the bag from me, just as I gripped onto a piece of paper that I hoped was her prescription as well. "That's April's."
"Yeah, I know… I… was looking for some gum that she had yesterday."
"Oh."
"I didn't think she would mind, but you're right, I shouldn't go through her stuff. Sorry." I took her bag from him and put it back on the floor and shoved the piece of paper in my pocket.
"Ok, let's go."
