Chapter 10

"Europe!" the Bohemians all exclaimed.

"Yes Europe." Lanna replied. "Roger, do you realize how big this could be? You could be international. Everyone would love you."

Mark lowered his eyes. So Europeans would love him, didn't it count for anything that Mark already did? But of course Roger didn't know that.

"Lanna, I don't know about this." Roger was saying. "I mean yes this is a wonderful thing, but it's also really huge. I need some time to think before I can just jump up and move to Europe."

"What's to think about?" Lanna asked. "You could be famous, it's not like you have a wife or family that you have to worry about uprooting. You need to take this opportunity and run with it Roger. It could be your only chance."

This was true and Roger knew it. But it wasn't that simple just to run off to Europe. He had- well he really didn't have anything. All the same, if he moved to another continent, he would maybe never see Mark again. Then he would never know how Roger felt about him. When he finally clued back in to the conversation he realized that his friends were all looking at him.

"What?" he asked irritably.

"So what are you going to do?" Maureen asked. "You were just talking about how much you wanted to leave L.A. and still do your music, were you not? Here's the perfect chance."

"Yeah, but-" Roger states then broke off. He had almost admitted the true reason why he didn't want to leave. Then he noticed that Jaylah was looking at him strangely.

"Could I see you outside for a minute Roger?" she asked.

"Uh, okay?" Roger replied in confusion.

Jaylah led him out to the front of the Café and leaned against the wall. Roger looked at her expectantly.

"So." Jaylah said.

"So what?" Roger responded.

"So you love Mark and you're scared to tell him." She said back. "it's cute really."

Roger just stared at her in complete and utter shock. "What are you talking about?" he said "I don't-"

"Yeah, uh-huh" Jaylah interrupted. "Look he loves you too. He was talking to himself when I was at his house and he just kept saying 'I can't believe I love him'. So I know he loves you too, all you have to do is tell him how you feel."

It was completely ridiculous that this thirteen year old girl was giving him advice about love. But it made so much sense.

"You know what Jaylah, you're right. Thank you; you are truly a child of Maureen and Joanne. You're crazy and irrational but also quite practical. Would you please go back in there and tell Mark to come out here?"

Jaylah nodded happily and ran back into the Café. Minutes later Mark came out.

"Roger, I'm so happy for you, this is what you've been waiting for." Mark said quickly. "Europe is a great place to start over."

Roger took a deep breath. "So you think I should go then?" he asked.

No, no, no you need to stay here with me because I love you so damn much! That's what Mark wanted to scream, but instead he said "If you want to, then you should. I mean, why would you stay?"

For you, because I love you Mark. Roger wanted to say but instead he shrugged. Then he said softly "Mark, tell me not to go."

"What?"

"Just tell me not to go. I don't want to, but I need to make sure my reasons are right." Roger said.

Mark took a deep breath. "Don't go Roger." He said almost inaudibly.

"Why?" Roger wanted to know.

"Because I love you and I want you to stay with me." Mark responded. "Please?"