A/N 10/4/02
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I love you for it! I am going out of town for over three weeks, so I won't be able to post any chapters till I return. Please don't forget about me or our favorite bohemians! Some big stuff is about to go down with everyone at the loft! I hope you all are enjoying reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. See you all in a few weeks!
CHAPTER 16
Jason opened the door and let Roger and Mark in. "The whole point of calling to say dinner is ready is that when I call you, it means that dinner is actually ready." Jen said, getting snippy at them.
"Cut them a break Jennifer!" Jason snapped at her. "Besides, Maureen's not even back yet."
"Where's Maureen? I didn't know she was coming over." Mark said, ignoring Jen.
"What? She didn't tell you when you were coning her into doing your dirty work for you?" Roger teased him.
"What did he get her to do?" Jason laughed.
"Nothing much," Roger said as he sat down at the counter bar. "He just had her call and check up on us today. Like we wouldn't know he made her do it." He and Cass started laughing. "Actually, I was guessing he'd get Jen to do it."
"Ha! Fat chance." Jen said as she put plates and wineglasses on the counter in front of Roger. As she started pouring spaghetti into a bowl, Maureen returned.
"Okay here goes." Maureen said as she set the bag on the counter.
"Good, give me a beer Roger." Jason told him.
Roger opened the bag and pulled out two bottles of red wine.
"What happened to the beer? It's too hot for wine." Jason said ending the sentence in a long nasally whiney voice, causing everyone to laugh.
"Oh shut up. It sounded good." Maureen started. "And Cass had been talking about the vineyard, so I thought she might like it. Besides, it was on sale. A lot cheaper than beer would have been."
"Mmm, yum. Bet it's right up there with yours." Mark whispered to Cass who shushed him as she laughed.
"Plus I've lived with you two slobs. I figured she could use a drink after that."
"Not to mention having her head super glued." Jen gave Roger a very disapproving look.
"Hey it worked, didn't it!" He was getting defensive.
"Relax." Maureen interrupted. "She's just kidding. Here, play bartender and open these." She handed him the wine opener and then went to help Jen plate the spaghetti.
Roger just looked at the wine opener for a second before tossing it aside. He undid the cellophane and then unscrewed the cap on the wine bottles, shaking his head at Maureen the whole time.
"Um, speaking of that, when do you work the Iguana again?"
"Thursday night I gotta bartend, but we've got band practice that afternoon first."
"What's the Iguana?" Cass asked as Mark handed her a plate and sat on the floor in front of her.
"It's this bar this guy Roger knows owns. He bartends there and the band plays there too."
"More like total dive bar." Maureen said, taking a plate of food.
"And more like total freak who Roger knows." Jen added.
"There's nothing all that wrong with Izzy." Mark tried to help.
"True," Jen added, handing wine to Jason and Collins. "As long as you don't mind total Neanderthal freaks.
"Never bothered you on dates sis." For that Jason received a most evil look.
"Izzy's not weird. He's just slightly off from the rest of the world." Roger told them.
"What do you mean?" Cass asked.
"For instance," Jen said between bites of food, "he's got this huge tattoo of an Iguana on his back. It looks like it's peaking over his shoulder or something."
"So he's got a tattoo because of the bar. What's so weird about that?" Cass asked.
"Not exactly." Roger laughed. "He got the tattoo in memory of Artie."
"And that would be.?" Cass asked hesitantly.
"His pet iguana. It's dead now, but he used to take it everywhere. It sat on his shoulder."
"And he talked to it." Jen added.
"And he thought it talked back." Maureen told her.
"I swear I don't how Krystal puts up with him!" Jen made a face.
"Izzy's not that bad." Roger defended him.
"Yeah the fact that he hasn't fired Roger yet is a miracle." Jason laughed.
"He has." Roger, Mark and Collins laughed.
"Many times actually." Roger told her, still laughing.
Collins was still grinning at that. "I sometimes wonder how he stays open though. Business doesn't seem to be his forte."
"I don't know either. But that dump stays full. And I'll bring home close to two hundred dollars Thursday night most likely."
"Roger if you make so much money," Jen asked, "why don't you bartend all the time."
"Because Jennifer, I'm not a bartender."
"Oh that's right," Maureen said as she collected the rest of the empty plates. "You're an unemployed musician."
"Hey I get paid when we play."
"Which seems like never." Jen said.
"Okay so Izzy's band is not exactly his top priority. I'm not sure Izzy really has any top priorities. But it's a decent enough band. We're playing this Sunday night again. Anybody want to come?" Roger's eyes covered the group of friends with that question, but Mark had a feeling it was directed at one person in particular.
"Um, sorry Rog, I gotta do something that night." Mark looked at Maureen before his eyes dropped to the floor. He really would have preferred going to see the band then doing what he had to do, but he promised Roger he would do it, and Sunday was as good a time as any.
"Yeah sorry. Joanne and I have plans that day, and I'm busy that night too." Maureen smiled at Mark. She knew he was not excited about going through Mimi's stuff.
"Count me out." Jen told them. "I've got a date that night."
"Gee Jen if you don't want to go you can just tell me, you don't have to make up huge lies to get out of it." Roger teased her.
"No I really do have a date!" She started to argue with him but then realized he was picking on her. "Screw you Davis I really do have a date!"
"Yeah right!" Roger laughed.
"With who?" Jason wanted to know.
"This guy Tim. I met him through work."
"Well, you both could come to the Iguana, have a few beers and hear the band."
"The last thing I'm going to do is expose one of the last decent guys left in New York to that roach infested dive to hear you and the off beat, out of key, freak brigade!"
"Hey, we're not that bad!"
"Roger as your friend, I feel I must tell you this." Collins began, trying to be serious. "Izzy's band, with the exception of you, really sucks." He started laughing which was followed by everyone else joining in.
"I know. I really need a new band. Where we do something other than just cover shit." He was looking down at his feet. "But Izzy's band was sort of what I needed for awhile. It kind of fit my schedule and all."
Mark decided it was time to change the subject. "Speaking of roach infestation and freaks, first Wednesday of the month tomorrow. So Benny will be coming by, just in case, as usual you all plan on deserting me to have to deal with him alone, you'll have time to make plans. I wouldn't want anyone to be caught off guard and happen to be hanging around with, god for bid, me when he comes to pick up the checks." The whole comment was dripping with sarcasm.
"What do you mean?" Cass asked.
"Let's just say," Mark started in a smile and still sarcastic way. "That for a group of people with no place to go, nothing to do, ever. No money to do it with and not to mention the inability to plan anything ahead of time, everyone, and I do mean everyone, seems to be able to find something else to do the first Wednesday of every month. They all just desert me to deal with Benny on my own. But then again, what are friends for?"
"Hey don't even start with me on that again. I told you I didn't want anything to do with this whole manage the building crap when you two worked it all out." Roger grumbled.
"Well, what would you have preferred, getting kicked out? Again? Trying to find a new place? Not to mention one we can afford. There's always that card board box option." Mark cracked a grin. "Or of course Jen's floor."
"Forget it, never going to be an option. But I can get you two some good boxes from work." She grinned.
"All I'm saying is," Mark started but paused to give a long sigh. He was tired of this argument. "All I'm saying is it works, okay? As much as we both hate it, we need him to let us keep living here. And, all things considered, he needs us to do this. It works out in the end okay?"
"What he needs is to have the crap beat out of him, once and for all."
"Roger calm down." Jen told him as she handed a check she had gotten from her bedroom to Mark. "No one likes him anymore than you do, but trying to shove his face into the cement, while I admit is appealing, is not helpful."
"I know. I know. It's just better if neither of us ever see each other again."
"Um," Collins jumped in, "just out of curiosity, what are you going to do with Cass tomorrow when he comes over?"
"Shit I never thought about that." Roger said.
"Me either." Mark looked at Roger. "Maybe I can just stash both of you in the bedroom."
"What are we talking about? What do you mean 'do with' me?"
"It's probably better if Benny doesn't know you are staying with us. At least for now." Mark tried to explain, but he knew that wouldn't be a good enough answer for Cass.
"What he means is," Collins added, "If Benny finds out your living there, first, he'll most likely be a total jack ass. Then Roger will most likely try to kill him, just on principal. Then he'll threaten to kick you all out. Then he'll try and get you to pay rent. But the biggest issue is he'll come over. A lot. He thinks he's got that right, just because it's his building."
"He's a sleazy, leech who even when his wife comes with him, which is often now I've noticed," Jen said, "he's always trying to put his hands all over you and basically you just feel like you need a shower when he leaves."
"That's how the whole building manager thing came around. Benny would come by, and no one would be here, because they were all avoiding him. Which made it difficult to get the rent I guess. That and some girl that lived down stairs brought him up on a sexual harassment charge." Mark laughed.
"Anyway," Maureen added, "because of all that and other problems, Muffy--"
"Allison." Mark corrected her.
"Fine, Allison called and made this whole deal with Mark. I mean it's actually her money. And she knows she can't possibly rent out that dump upstairs to anyone else I'm sure. And it would have to cost a ton to bring it up to code and make it livable. Livable for anyone other than these two." She waved a finger between Mark and Roger. "Besides, I think she kinda enjoys making him squirm a little." Maureen got a slightly sick smirk on her face.
"Well if it will keep Cass from having to deal with him, and keep Roger out of jail a little longer," Jen gave Roger a look, "you two can hid out down here. Mark's got my check, so there's no reason for Benny to come by my place. Besides, what's the difference between you watching my cable in my apartment or watching my cable in yours."
"Um," Mark looked at Roger with a guilty 'Oh Shit we're busted' look. "What do you mean Jen?"
"Oh please!" She, along with Jason and Collins, who knew Mark had stole her cable all laughed. "Like I wouldn't notice you two suddenly had cable, the exact premium channels I have."
"Oh." Was all Mark said.
"Besides," she continued, with a smirk on her face. "That wasn't the big tip off. There is no way you two would order, and actually pay for cable, all those channels, and not get at least one porn channel!"
Roger kicked his foot at Mark and laughed. "See I told you to steal it from the guy on the third floor! I know he's got porn channels!"
By then they were all laughing. They sat around talking about nothing really for awhile longer. Mark was about to say something to Collins when he looked up from the floor at Cass. She had the handle of her fork stuck in her cast, scratching at her arm. "Cut that out! Your not supposed to do that!" He said getting up and taking the fork into the kitchen.
"But Mom! It itches!" She said at him through clenched teeth. Everyone, especially Roger laughed at that. No one knew Mark's mother like qualities better than Roger.
"And you're still a big help." Mark said at Roger. "You just sit there and watch her!" He turned to the rest of the group. "You know the other day he bent up a wire hanger specifically so she could shove it in her cast!"
"Well it really itches Mark." She was laughing at him.
"You're just not supposed to do that is all. Hey, what time is your doctor's appointment tomorrow?"
Cass looked at Roger who said "Ten o'clock. But they said to be there by 9:45 to fill out paperwork."
"Where is it?"
"Upper east side. Somewhere in the 80's. I don't remember. I wrote it down. But if we get on the Canarsie Line, we can pick up the 4, 5, or 6 train. Whichever one we don't have to switch from at Grand Central. Get off at 77th or 86th. Which ever one is closer."
Mark started doing the math. "Okay, so six blocks to the subway, maybe twenty minutes on it, plus however far it is to walk there. We better get up by 7:30." Mark looked at Cass who was getting a strange, nervous look on her face. "Um, maybe 7:00."
"How does that add up to us having to get up at 7:00?" Roger asked him.
"Well, walking time, and subway time and we don't really know where the office is." Mark was watching Cass, who had pulled her knees up to her chin and was intently looking at them, but she had lost a lot of color from her face. "Plus coffee on the way. And I know you two, neither of you will get up that early willingly." Mark put a little more stress on those last words and shot Roger a look that he then directed to Cass. Mark had a feeling getting out the door tomorrow morning might not be the easiest, or quickest thing in the world.
Collins had also been watching both Cass and Mark. He knew what Mark was thinking and agreed with him. "That sounds right Mark." Collins said, but he directed it at Roger. "It will still be rush hour when you're going. Besides, you never know what kind of problems you may run into tomorrow morning."
Roger caught on and started shaking his head. "Yeah, okay, whatever. Just wake me up. But don't be a total ass about it. You do remember the squirt gun incident, right Marky?" He was trying hard to change the subject to something that would get Cass to laugh or at least back from wherever she was going at the moment.
"I said I was sorry I won't do that again. Believe me. Even though you did say 'make sure I get up.' That was what you said."
"He's right Roger." Jason laughed. "You did tell him to make sure you got up."
"Whatever." He laughed. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes he is." Jen said. "You all are. Some of us have real jobs to go to tomorrow and stuff to do still tonight. You don't have to go home, but get out of here!"
They all said their good-byes and thanked Jen for dinner. After they got into the loft and Cass had gone to change into something to sleep in, Roger looked at Mark.
"You thing we're going to have problems getting her to the doctor don't you?"
"Don't you?" Mark asked as he sank on the couch. "You said what it took to ever get her out of bed."
"Well she's got to go."
"I know." Mark looked down at the ground. "I just wish getting her to go didn't mean we had to possibly be total asses to her."
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I love you for it! I am going out of town for over three weeks, so I won't be able to post any chapters till I return. Please don't forget about me or our favorite bohemians! Some big stuff is about to go down with everyone at the loft! I hope you all are enjoying reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. See you all in a few weeks!
CHAPTER 16
Jason opened the door and let Roger and Mark in. "The whole point of calling to say dinner is ready is that when I call you, it means that dinner is actually ready." Jen said, getting snippy at them.
"Cut them a break Jennifer!" Jason snapped at her. "Besides, Maureen's not even back yet."
"Where's Maureen? I didn't know she was coming over." Mark said, ignoring Jen.
"What? She didn't tell you when you were coning her into doing your dirty work for you?" Roger teased him.
"What did he get her to do?" Jason laughed.
"Nothing much," Roger said as he sat down at the counter bar. "He just had her call and check up on us today. Like we wouldn't know he made her do it." He and Cass started laughing. "Actually, I was guessing he'd get Jen to do it."
"Ha! Fat chance." Jen said as she put plates and wineglasses on the counter in front of Roger. As she started pouring spaghetti into a bowl, Maureen returned.
"Okay here goes." Maureen said as she set the bag on the counter.
"Good, give me a beer Roger." Jason told him.
Roger opened the bag and pulled out two bottles of red wine.
"What happened to the beer? It's too hot for wine." Jason said ending the sentence in a long nasally whiney voice, causing everyone to laugh.
"Oh shut up. It sounded good." Maureen started. "And Cass had been talking about the vineyard, so I thought she might like it. Besides, it was on sale. A lot cheaper than beer would have been."
"Mmm, yum. Bet it's right up there with yours." Mark whispered to Cass who shushed him as she laughed.
"Plus I've lived with you two slobs. I figured she could use a drink after that."
"Not to mention having her head super glued." Jen gave Roger a very disapproving look.
"Hey it worked, didn't it!" He was getting defensive.
"Relax." Maureen interrupted. "She's just kidding. Here, play bartender and open these." She handed him the wine opener and then went to help Jen plate the spaghetti.
Roger just looked at the wine opener for a second before tossing it aside. He undid the cellophane and then unscrewed the cap on the wine bottles, shaking his head at Maureen the whole time.
"Um, speaking of that, when do you work the Iguana again?"
"Thursday night I gotta bartend, but we've got band practice that afternoon first."
"What's the Iguana?" Cass asked as Mark handed her a plate and sat on the floor in front of her.
"It's this bar this guy Roger knows owns. He bartends there and the band plays there too."
"More like total dive bar." Maureen said, taking a plate of food.
"And more like total freak who Roger knows." Jen added.
"There's nothing all that wrong with Izzy." Mark tried to help.
"True," Jen added, handing wine to Jason and Collins. "As long as you don't mind total Neanderthal freaks.
"Never bothered you on dates sis." For that Jason received a most evil look.
"Izzy's not weird. He's just slightly off from the rest of the world." Roger told them.
"What do you mean?" Cass asked.
"For instance," Jen said between bites of food, "he's got this huge tattoo of an Iguana on his back. It looks like it's peaking over his shoulder or something."
"So he's got a tattoo because of the bar. What's so weird about that?" Cass asked.
"Not exactly." Roger laughed. "He got the tattoo in memory of Artie."
"And that would be.?" Cass asked hesitantly.
"His pet iguana. It's dead now, but he used to take it everywhere. It sat on his shoulder."
"And he talked to it." Jen added.
"And he thought it talked back." Maureen told her.
"I swear I don't how Krystal puts up with him!" Jen made a face.
"Izzy's not that bad." Roger defended him.
"Yeah the fact that he hasn't fired Roger yet is a miracle." Jason laughed.
"He has." Roger, Mark and Collins laughed.
"Many times actually." Roger told her, still laughing.
Collins was still grinning at that. "I sometimes wonder how he stays open though. Business doesn't seem to be his forte."
"I don't know either. But that dump stays full. And I'll bring home close to two hundred dollars Thursday night most likely."
"Roger if you make so much money," Jen asked, "why don't you bartend all the time."
"Because Jennifer, I'm not a bartender."
"Oh that's right," Maureen said as she collected the rest of the empty plates. "You're an unemployed musician."
"Hey I get paid when we play."
"Which seems like never." Jen said.
"Okay so Izzy's band is not exactly his top priority. I'm not sure Izzy really has any top priorities. But it's a decent enough band. We're playing this Sunday night again. Anybody want to come?" Roger's eyes covered the group of friends with that question, but Mark had a feeling it was directed at one person in particular.
"Um, sorry Rog, I gotta do something that night." Mark looked at Maureen before his eyes dropped to the floor. He really would have preferred going to see the band then doing what he had to do, but he promised Roger he would do it, and Sunday was as good a time as any.
"Yeah sorry. Joanne and I have plans that day, and I'm busy that night too." Maureen smiled at Mark. She knew he was not excited about going through Mimi's stuff.
"Count me out." Jen told them. "I've got a date that night."
"Gee Jen if you don't want to go you can just tell me, you don't have to make up huge lies to get out of it." Roger teased her.
"No I really do have a date!" She started to argue with him but then realized he was picking on her. "Screw you Davis I really do have a date!"
"Yeah right!" Roger laughed.
"With who?" Jason wanted to know.
"This guy Tim. I met him through work."
"Well, you both could come to the Iguana, have a few beers and hear the band."
"The last thing I'm going to do is expose one of the last decent guys left in New York to that roach infested dive to hear you and the off beat, out of key, freak brigade!"
"Hey, we're not that bad!"
"Roger as your friend, I feel I must tell you this." Collins began, trying to be serious. "Izzy's band, with the exception of you, really sucks." He started laughing which was followed by everyone else joining in.
"I know. I really need a new band. Where we do something other than just cover shit." He was looking down at his feet. "But Izzy's band was sort of what I needed for awhile. It kind of fit my schedule and all."
Mark decided it was time to change the subject. "Speaking of roach infestation and freaks, first Wednesday of the month tomorrow. So Benny will be coming by, just in case, as usual you all plan on deserting me to have to deal with him alone, you'll have time to make plans. I wouldn't want anyone to be caught off guard and happen to be hanging around with, god for bid, me when he comes to pick up the checks." The whole comment was dripping with sarcasm.
"What do you mean?" Cass asked.
"Let's just say," Mark started in a smile and still sarcastic way. "That for a group of people with no place to go, nothing to do, ever. No money to do it with and not to mention the inability to plan anything ahead of time, everyone, and I do mean everyone, seems to be able to find something else to do the first Wednesday of every month. They all just desert me to deal with Benny on my own. But then again, what are friends for?"
"Hey don't even start with me on that again. I told you I didn't want anything to do with this whole manage the building crap when you two worked it all out." Roger grumbled.
"Well, what would you have preferred, getting kicked out? Again? Trying to find a new place? Not to mention one we can afford. There's always that card board box option." Mark cracked a grin. "Or of course Jen's floor."
"Forget it, never going to be an option. But I can get you two some good boxes from work." She grinned.
"All I'm saying is," Mark started but paused to give a long sigh. He was tired of this argument. "All I'm saying is it works, okay? As much as we both hate it, we need him to let us keep living here. And, all things considered, he needs us to do this. It works out in the end okay?"
"What he needs is to have the crap beat out of him, once and for all."
"Roger calm down." Jen told him as she handed a check she had gotten from her bedroom to Mark. "No one likes him anymore than you do, but trying to shove his face into the cement, while I admit is appealing, is not helpful."
"I know. I know. It's just better if neither of us ever see each other again."
"Um," Collins jumped in, "just out of curiosity, what are you going to do with Cass tomorrow when he comes over?"
"Shit I never thought about that." Roger said.
"Me either." Mark looked at Roger. "Maybe I can just stash both of you in the bedroom."
"What are we talking about? What do you mean 'do with' me?"
"It's probably better if Benny doesn't know you are staying with us. At least for now." Mark tried to explain, but he knew that wouldn't be a good enough answer for Cass.
"What he means is," Collins added, "If Benny finds out your living there, first, he'll most likely be a total jack ass. Then Roger will most likely try to kill him, just on principal. Then he'll threaten to kick you all out. Then he'll try and get you to pay rent. But the biggest issue is he'll come over. A lot. He thinks he's got that right, just because it's his building."
"He's a sleazy, leech who even when his wife comes with him, which is often now I've noticed," Jen said, "he's always trying to put his hands all over you and basically you just feel like you need a shower when he leaves."
"That's how the whole building manager thing came around. Benny would come by, and no one would be here, because they were all avoiding him. Which made it difficult to get the rent I guess. That and some girl that lived down stairs brought him up on a sexual harassment charge." Mark laughed.
"Anyway," Maureen added, "because of all that and other problems, Muffy--"
"Allison." Mark corrected her.
"Fine, Allison called and made this whole deal with Mark. I mean it's actually her money. And she knows she can't possibly rent out that dump upstairs to anyone else I'm sure. And it would have to cost a ton to bring it up to code and make it livable. Livable for anyone other than these two." She waved a finger between Mark and Roger. "Besides, I think she kinda enjoys making him squirm a little." Maureen got a slightly sick smirk on her face.
"Well if it will keep Cass from having to deal with him, and keep Roger out of jail a little longer," Jen gave Roger a look, "you two can hid out down here. Mark's got my check, so there's no reason for Benny to come by my place. Besides, what's the difference between you watching my cable in my apartment or watching my cable in yours."
"Um," Mark looked at Roger with a guilty 'Oh Shit we're busted' look. "What do you mean Jen?"
"Oh please!" She, along with Jason and Collins, who knew Mark had stole her cable all laughed. "Like I wouldn't notice you two suddenly had cable, the exact premium channels I have."
"Oh." Was all Mark said.
"Besides," she continued, with a smirk on her face. "That wasn't the big tip off. There is no way you two would order, and actually pay for cable, all those channels, and not get at least one porn channel!"
Roger kicked his foot at Mark and laughed. "See I told you to steal it from the guy on the third floor! I know he's got porn channels!"
By then they were all laughing. They sat around talking about nothing really for awhile longer. Mark was about to say something to Collins when he looked up from the floor at Cass. She had the handle of her fork stuck in her cast, scratching at her arm. "Cut that out! Your not supposed to do that!" He said getting up and taking the fork into the kitchen.
"But Mom! It itches!" She said at him through clenched teeth. Everyone, especially Roger laughed at that. No one knew Mark's mother like qualities better than Roger.
"And you're still a big help." Mark said at Roger. "You just sit there and watch her!" He turned to the rest of the group. "You know the other day he bent up a wire hanger specifically so she could shove it in her cast!"
"Well it really itches Mark." She was laughing at him.
"You're just not supposed to do that is all. Hey, what time is your doctor's appointment tomorrow?"
Cass looked at Roger who said "Ten o'clock. But they said to be there by 9:45 to fill out paperwork."
"Where is it?"
"Upper east side. Somewhere in the 80's. I don't remember. I wrote it down. But if we get on the Canarsie Line, we can pick up the 4, 5, or 6 train. Whichever one we don't have to switch from at Grand Central. Get off at 77th or 86th. Which ever one is closer."
Mark started doing the math. "Okay, so six blocks to the subway, maybe twenty minutes on it, plus however far it is to walk there. We better get up by 7:30." Mark looked at Cass who was getting a strange, nervous look on her face. "Um, maybe 7:00."
"How does that add up to us having to get up at 7:00?" Roger asked him.
"Well, walking time, and subway time and we don't really know where the office is." Mark was watching Cass, who had pulled her knees up to her chin and was intently looking at them, but she had lost a lot of color from her face. "Plus coffee on the way. And I know you two, neither of you will get up that early willingly." Mark put a little more stress on those last words and shot Roger a look that he then directed to Cass. Mark had a feeling getting out the door tomorrow morning might not be the easiest, or quickest thing in the world.
Collins had also been watching both Cass and Mark. He knew what Mark was thinking and agreed with him. "That sounds right Mark." Collins said, but he directed it at Roger. "It will still be rush hour when you're going. Besides, you never know what kind of problems you may run into tomorrow morning."
Roger caught on and started shaking his head. "Yeah, okay, whatever. Just wake me up. But don't be a total ass about it. You do remember the squirt gun incident, right Marky?" He was trying hard to change the subject to something that would get Cass to laugh or at least back from wherever she was going at the moment.
"I said I was sorry I won't do that again. Believe me. Even though you did say 'make sure I get up.' That was what you said."
"He's right Roger." Jason laughed. "You did tell him to make sure you got up."
"Whatever." He laughed. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes he is." Jen said. "You all are. Some of us have real jobs to go to tomorrow and stuff to do still tonight. You don't have to go home, but get out of here!"
They all said their good-byes and thanked Jen for dinner. After they got into the loft and Cass had gone to change into something to sleep in, Roger looked at Mark.
"You thing we're going to have problems getting her to the doctor don't you?"
"Don't you?" Mark asked as he sank on the couch. "You said what it took to ever get her out of bed."
"Well she's got to go."
"I know." Mark looked down at the ground. "I just wish getting her to go didn't mean we had to possibly be total asses to her."