Sorry again for the delays, I hope you have enjoyed this story, as this will be the final chapter. Thanks for all your support, and read my other stuff if you haven't already.
Just because it's the end doesn't mean you can't review!
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to RENT. Duh.
I found the perfect secondhand keyboard in a pawnshop about fifteen minutes from the loft. It was old and battery operated but all the keys still worked.
"Roger, what the hell is that?" Collins asked when I brought it through the door.
"It's a keyboard, Thomas."
"I got that much."
He sent a questioning look at Mark.
"It's for a little girl I've been giving lessons to. She's in the hospital, she's got leukemia and it doesn't look good. She can't practice anymore, obviously and her mom says she misses it like hell. She said seeing me makes it worse, so I'm going to bring it to her tomorrow."
"Damn." Was all Collins could manage.
I took the keyboard back to my bedroom and wrapped it in newspaper because fancy wrapping paper was just too expensive.
"Roger?" Mark asked, standing in my doorway.
"Yeah?"
"Come out and eat dinner."
"Just a second."
I put a few more strips of tape on the package and inspected my work. Satisfied that it was fully swathed in paper, I joined Mark in the kitchen.
"Are you alright?" he asked, putting plates of spaghetti on the table.
He was finally eating normally again.
"Yeah, I'm great. Do you want to visit Jessica with me tomorrow?"
"Are you sure you want me there?"
"Definitely. That and I need someone to spot me walking around the hospital with a keyboard."
"Okay." Mark agreed laughing.
It felt so good to hear him laughing again, like nothing was wrong. I was anxious the rest of the night, I just wanted to make Jessica happy. I think Mark could sense it though because he curled up next to me, closer than usual.
"Ready?" Mark asked when he emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a blue polo shirt that mimicked his eyes.
"I think so."
He smoothed my hair and pressed his lips to mine.
"You can do this."
"I have to."
Jessica was sitting up in bed, watching TV when we arrived.
"Roger! Oh good you came back! The doctors say I'm a little better."
"That's great sweetheart." I said lightly. I could tell she really wasn't.
"Who's that?" she asked, gesturing to Mark.
"This is my best friend in the whole world, Mark."
Mark waived and smiled.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Yep."
"Good."
We talked for a few minutes before I presented her with the gift.
"What's this?"
"Open it and see."
I put the package on her lap and she delicately tore off the meticulously taped paper.
"It's a keyboard!"
"So you can practice."
She immediately began to play while Mark and I cleared away the paper. Mrs. Oliver appeared in the doorway.
"Roger, you're a hero." She said giving me a hug.
"She just looked so sad without it. It was the only thing I could do."
Mark and I spent the next month at home, without incident. I didn't really have a job anymore and Mark was taking a paid sabbatical to film another documentary.
One regular morning after a long night of interesting proportions, the phone rang. I pretended not to hear it but Mark got up to answer.
"Hello?" Mark answered softly, trying in vain not to wake me up.
"Just a second."
He handed the receiver to me. "It's Jessica."
I sprang to attention.
"Hello?"
"Hey Roger, it's Jessica Oliver. I'm going home from the hospital today. They said I'm getting better instead of worse! They don't even know how it happened."
"That's fantastic! Congratulations."
"I think it was the piano."
"Me too. No matter what they say, music is the best medicine."
We said our goodbyes and set up a day for me to visit in a week or two. I hung up the phone feeling on top of the world.
"She's coming home, Mark."
"I figured, you have the cutest smile on your face."
"Shut up." I said playfully, smiling even wider.
"Music is the best medicine?" he questioned.
"Well I couldn't say sex, she's six!"
"Oh, okay."
Mark proceeded to unbutton my jeans to prove his point.
Though the three of us were still sick, we managed to live our lives. Mark, Jessica and I were all connected and gave each other a reason to live through the sacrifices we made.