Not Today

"Mimi," Roger called. "What are you doing?"

"Coming, coming," she called out. She ran up to Roger and grabbed his elbow. The two made there way up to Mark's apartment. There was going to be a reunion party at 6:00 p.m. for Mimi's return.

"Mark," Mimi sang out. No one answered.

"Don't be sore Mark," Roger said, thinking he was still mad about the argument.

Mimi pushed open the door, to find Maureen sitting on Mark's lap, with her tongue down his throat.

"Maureen?" said Mimi and Roger at the same time.

Maureen turned around. "Oh my god! Mimi?" Maureen pushed herself off of Mark and went over to hug her friend.

"Hi Maureen," said Mimi slowly looking from her to Mark.

"How are you? You look thin," Maureen said pointing at Mimi's stomach.

"She is fine," said Roger defensively.

Mimi blushed as she looked at Roger.

Mark stood up and went to heat up the coffee. Collins came walking in just as Mark was coming back with the warmed coffee.

"Mimi Marquez?" he asked. He ran over and hugged her. Mimi smiled. Poor Tom had lost the love of his life after New Year's three years ago. Ever since the funeral, Tom had become a serious person.

"You're thin," he whispered in her ear.

"She's fine Tom," Roger said forcefully. Everyone became quiet at that.

To break the silence, Mimi's AZT beeper went off. She blushed again and pulled out her capsule of pills. Roger went to get her a glass of water. She took her pills and then looked at everyone who was patiently waiting for her to say something.

"How has everyone been?" Mimi asked. That question broke the ice. The five of them all sat around and chatted about the last year. Roger broke away from the group and went onto the fire escape to smoke a cigarette. Mimi followed him out.

"Can you stop?" she said.

"Stop what?" he asked.

"This whole over-protective act. I am a big girl. I can handle myself," she said.

"I just want to keep you safe," he said putting his hand on her cheek.

She pulled back. "Safe from what?" she asked, "death?"

"Mimi, don't say that," he said, raising his voice.

Mimi laughed. "You can't save me from death. You can just give me the best last year on Earth. The best 525,600 minutes of my life," she said slowly.

"Mimi," he said. "I just don't want to do something I regret."

Mimi reached out and grabbed his hand. "Forget regret."

"Or life is yours to miss," he smiled.

Mimi walked back inside, but Roger stayed outside, to finish his cigarette. As he was taking his last drag, he saw "The Man," emerge from under the fire escape and run down the street.

"What is he doing here?" Roger thought out loud. He swung his body over the railing and onto the stairs. Once he hit the ground, he took off, running after the one person he hated the most at the moment.

"Roger Davis," said a voice in front of him. "Long time no see."

"Hello Gordon," Roger replied. "I thought you quit."

"Nope," he said. "I will never quit. This is my life."

"Gordon," Roger laughed. "I saw how scared you were at the Life support meeting two years ago. I thought you had finally woken up from this drug world of yours."

"Listen Roger, around these parts, I will always be 'The Man'," he smirked.

"I don't care what you do," Roger roared. "Just stay away from Mimi. She isn't a junkie anymore."

"She'll come around," Gordon said. "They always do." He took out a packet of pure white crack. Gordon dangled it under Roger's nose. Roger felt a twinge of want. He knew he would never be totally detached from the drug. The addiction instilled itself into him permanently. He reached for the packet. Then, Mimi's eyes came into his head. He dropped it into the snow.

"No Gordon," Roger said hoarsely walking away. "Not today."