Chapter Three
That night, Collins decided to stay over with Mark, Roger and Jesse.
"I'll sleep on the couch,"Collins said, heading for the couch. But when he got there, he noticed Jesse already curled up, half asleep. He sighed. "...or not!"Collins took his coat off, laying back in a chair, putting it over him.
"Sorry we don't have any extra blankets, Collins,"Mark said apologetically.
"That's okay. Remind me to get you some next time I get paid,"Collins said, making himself comfortable.
"Will do,"Mark promised, walking over to the lumpy mattress that he referred to as a bed. Roger was petting the dog's head.
"Hey, he kind of snores..."he commented.
"Roger, are you gonna sit there with the dog all night, or are you actually going to sleep?"Mark asked. Roger shrugged.
"I don't even see why I bother going to sleep. I'll be woken up in a few hours when Mimi comes home-"
"Roger,"Mark warned. Roger's girlfriend Mimi was having a very difficult time getting off her drugs, and usually came shivering and panting over to the loft in the middle of the night, screaming for Roger, who would have to take her in, wrap her up, and let her be sick all over the bathroom. Mark could tell Roger was scared for Mimi, but Roger's way of showing scared was by getting aggravated. Roger sighed.
"I'll go to bed soon,"he assured his friend. Mark nodded, heading over to his mattress.
"Okay,"he said. And he turned off the one little lamp he had next to his bed. Roger sat alone in the dark with the snoring puppy, playing with its floppy ears. He sighed, bracing himself for what was sure to be a long night...
"ROGER!"Roger sat up immediately. He had fallen asleep leaning against the couch with the dog. He jumped when he heard Mimi's screeching. Collins grunted, shifting a little.
"Whas goin' on...?"he muttered, just waking up. Mark also rolled over on his mattress.
"Mimi..."he groaned to Collins. Roger ran to the door. Mimi was curled up on the floor outside, sobbing and shaking like crazy. Roger lifted her up, bringing her into the loft. Jesse had jumped up excitedly, running all around. Collins and Mark were now up, and Collins grabbed the dog, shushing him and petting his head gently. Mimi wheezed and moaned as she shook violently. Roger placed her down on the couch, only so she could vomit off the side. Mark quickly ran to find some towels and the mop, and Roger grabbed some blankets off of his bed, bringing them over to Mimi.
"Roger...I'm sorry..."she moaned miserably, as Roger wrapped the blankets around her small figure, sitting down beside her and then wrapping his arms around her, calming her the way Collins was attempting to calm Jesse.
"I'm sorry!"Mimi repeated, rocking back and forth.
"Shh. Don't be sorry. You'll be okay, Mimi,"Roger assured her. Collins suddenly brought Jesse over to Mimi.
"Mimi...look at this,"he said, holding Jesse out to her. Mimi looked up, her swollen, blood-shot eyes staring at the little dog.
"Is that...?"she croaked.
"Yeah, it's a puppy. Jesse. Pet it, Mimi. It's okay,"Collins said. Mimi slowly reached out, gingerly brushing the dog's head. Jesse licked her hand. Mimi actually grinned a little, stroking the dog's chin as it snuggled up against her bony hand.
"He likes you,"Collins said.
"He's cute..."Mimi said softly.
"This little guy is here to help you, Mimi. I've read places that sometimes animals are a good way to help people with diseases or addictions,"Collins explained. "Jesse is going to help you get through your sickness." Mimi smiled.
"He is?"she asked, her eyes closing a little, as her shaking came to a stop. She leaned back against Roger.
"He is,"Collins replied. "You wanna hold him?"Mimi nodded, and Collins placed the little dog into Mimi's lap. She smiled at Jesse, petting his head gently as she slowly fell asleep in Roger's arms. Roger was staring at Mimi in shock.
"Wow...this is the best she's ever been,"Mark commented as he began cleaning up the floor. "Usually she's sick almost all night before we get her to sleep."
"Yeah,"Roger said, still looking at Mimi and the dog as if a miracle had just happened before his very eyes.
"Well, it is true that some dogs have been known to help people out of diseases like anorexia and addictions like drugs or smoking,"Collins explained. "Maybe all Mimi needed all along was some extra encouragement from a little fuzzy guy!"Mark laughed, but Roger was still in a state of shock.
"Wow..."was all he seemed to be able to say, even as Mark and Collins went back to sleep. Roger continued to gaze at his girlfriend and the little dog. And to him, a miracle had just happened before his eyes.
Okay, so I finally updated! Haha. This is probably about as serious as this story will get, but I'm not sure yet. There might be some more Angel references, but not too much more sick-Mimi after this. Thanks for all your reviews! I hope people keep reading!