Four days later, Roger found Mimi up on the roof, despite the cool weather. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and softly kissed her cheek before sitting down next to her. She immediately crawled onto his lap, and he wrapped his arms around her small frame.
There they sat for a while, until Roger asked, "What's wrong baby? You've been acting weird for a few days now. Are you feeling sick?" Mimi shook her head, and began to play with the hair on the back of Roger's neck.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking, that's all," she replied quietly.
"About what?"
"About us, and Maureen and Joanne, and Angel and Collins, and how one of us will have to go through what Collins went through, and what Maureen is going through right now."
"Joanne's getting better though. She's breathing on her own, and her brain activity has increased."
"But it's been two weeks! And I'm not really talking about Joanne. I'm talking about Maureen. She's trying to be strong and independent. I'm afraid that I won't be strong like her and like Collins was. I wouldn't be able to stand not knowing if I'd ever talk to you again everyday." Roger kissed the top of Mimi's head, and rubbed her back.
"You don't have to worry about that. You're such a strong young woman who's been through a lot. Besides, this is going to be in the future. I'm perfectly healthy right now, so you're stuck with me."
"I'm not just worried about your health, Roger. I'm worried about how you'll act if I go first."
"What do you mean?" Mimi sat up, and began to stroke Roger's cheek. Roger closed his eyes, and leaned into her gentle touch before kissing the palm of her hand.
"I mean, I don't want you to get depressed like you did after April died. I want you to promise me something Roger. Promise me that you'll go on with your life and date and fall in love again if I go before you." Roger shook his head.
"No, I can't promise you that I'll fall in love again. You're the only woman I've only really loved, and I can't even think about seeing another woman after you, let alone being in love again."
"Please Roger; I need you to promise me that you'll date after I go." Tears began to slide down Mimi's face. Roger gently brushed them away with his thumbs.
"I promise you, Mimi Marquez, that I will do my very best to fall in love again if you were to go before me, if you promise me the exact same thing." Mimi clung to Roger's hands.
"I promise you, Roger Davis, that I will do my very best to fall in love again if you were to go before me." Roger took Mimi's face in his hands, and sealed their promise with a passionate kiss.
Meanwhile, Benny knocked on the door to Joanne's room. Maureen looked up from her magazine, slightly startled. When she saw who it was, she went right back to what she was reading. Benny sighed, and went into the room.
"What do you want, Benny?" demanded Maureen without looking up from her magazine.
"I came to see how Joanne's doing, and how you're holding up. How are you holding up, Maureen?"
"How did you find out about Joanne?" Maureen still hadn't looked up from her magazine. She was avoiding Benny's question.
"Collins told me when I went to collect the rent. Why didn't you call me, and tell me? Maybe I can help out some."
"How? Do you have magic powers or something that you could use to wake Joanne up? Because if you do, be my guest!"
"No." Benny put a vase with flowers in it next to Joanne's bed. "But I do have this." He handed Maureen a blank check.
"What's this for?"
"When Joanne gets out of this place, I want you to fill that out with the total amount for the hospital bill." Maureen gave back the check.
"We don't need your charity," she stated simply.
"This isn't charity, Mo. It's a peace offering of sorts. I want to apologize for all I've done in the past. Please take the check. Money's going to become tight once Joanne gets out of here. Please take the money." Maureen reluctantly took the money. Benny was right. Joanne would be out of work for a while; they'd need the money. Maureen smiled weakly.
"Thanks Benny."