Author's note: I have to get up at three a.m. tomorrow morning. It's going to be a very long day, so I might as well have done something creative the night before. Today at school I asked all my friends to give me random words that I can use for prompts. This one comes from "snow cone," supplied by Zeke in third period study hall.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Mimi and I are sitting on a bench in the park, waiting for Roger to get done with rehearsal so we can go out to eat. It's way too hot to sit in the loft all day. We were going to get sun stroke if we stayed much longer.
This summer has been warmer than I ever remember, and Benny still won't get an air conditioner for the building. Typical Benny. I wonder if he'll ever stand up to Muffy and her dad.
Mimi found enough change in the couch cushions this morning to buy herself a snow cone. As soon as we got near the park she started running for the closest snack vendor. The guy didn't look too happy when she spilled seventy-five cents in pennies on the counter, but he gave her a big green snow cone. Her smile was so big it looked like her mouth was about to split a seam.
She plopped down on a bench in the shade and started sucking on that thing like it was her last breath.
I really wish I hadn't thought that just now. Mimi's doing so much better. She went to rehab and has been off heroin for three months. She's been taking her AZT. She and Roger go to Life Support every week. It's the healthiest I think I've ever seen them. They both are so happy now.
I wish it would always be like this.
Mimi's face is green and sticky from her snow cone. She offers me a lick, but I shake my head and try not to laugh at the mess she's made of herself.
I try to be nonchalant as I pull my camera out of my ever-present bag. I zoom in on her face and start filming. I manage to get a few seconds of footage before she turns her attention back to me.
She glares right into the lens. "Mark, what do you think you're doing?"
"Making sure I get proof so I can confirm the existence of the loch ness monster," I answer cheekily, zooming out slightly.
"If you don't put it away right now I'm going to stick this snow cone in the lens." She holds up the lime, syrupy ball of ice to emphasize her threat.
I quickly put the camera away. She's tried to murder it before. I won't give her the chance again.
Roger comes walking down the sidewalk, guitar in one hand and notebook in the other. He laughs when he sees Mimi's face. She shoves him playfully, and they both go to the drinking fountain to clean her up.
I follow at a distance, watching them flick water at each other and laugh.
It's strange to think that maybe next year they'll be gone. I can't imagine a single day without making Mimi giggle and hearing Roger's guitar.
The thought of it makes the sky seem darker. All the happiness of this afternoon evaporates with a single notion; I might be left alone soon.
"Hey Mark!" Roger snaps me out of my reverie. "Are you coming?"
I plaster an artificial smile on my lips and jog to catch up to them.