Chapter Two:I Don't HaveA Red Cape
Two days after Chapter One

I shuffle out of my room and into the kitchen.
It's only three in the morning, but after Lily's last fit, I hadn't been able to go back to sleep.
Maybe some water will help.

"Couldn't sleep either?" I hear Mimi from the hallway.

I shrug, "Lot on my mind."

"You too?"

I offer her a glass. She takes it and smiles,

"Thanks."

A few moments of silence slowly drag by.

"You could have called." I whisper, not really sure if I want her to hear or not.

She shakes her head, "No...I couldn't, Roger...he..."

"You could have called me...I could have helped."

"You can't save the whole world, Mark."

I know that, my mind argues...but...but she is part of Roger's world and they're both part of my world. Why can't I save my world?

I'm gonna get out of here while I can, I want to get to work, well, my pathetic excuse for a paying job, while I can.

As I shut the door behind me Mimi is fussying over Lily and hounding Roger with a thousand different rules for when she leaves to go job hunting herself while Roger attempts to keep his temper. They're about ready to continue the blame game they began earlier this morning.

The hours begin to creep along, hours of guiding pointless customers who can't read the signs, and hours stocking selves full of empty feel good movie that disillusion the people who spend ridiculous amounts of money to rent it when they can pay 5 dollars more to be blinded forever.
America.

At noon I drag myself out of the store back towards the lofting almost regreting my promise to Mimi to check on Roger and Lily.

Some times I wish it could go back to how it used to be. Well, not the drug...before then...when life didn't suck. No, I guess life has always kind of sucked, but it used be kind of fun. When Roger, Benny, and I all "worked" at the decrepid store near the bar where the Well Hungarians played and death wasn't as inevitable.

Damn it, why the hell is the door locked?

"Roger?"

No answer. No problem, really. Juggle the door the right way, er...there we go.

"Roger?"

Still no answer. What the hell?
Maybe he's asleep.

No, his room empty. Lily's make shift crib is empty.

Wait...the guitars gone too.

Roger who hasn't left the loft in ages of his own free will decides to pick right now of all the moments to disappear.

For some reason my mother's voice rings in my head, telling me that this is exactly how she felt when I disappeared in the grocery store when I was eight.

Don't panic he's a grown, resp...he's Roger. Shit.

The door shuts and I walk in the living room to find Roger, guitar strapped to his back and Lily attached to his front.

"Where the hell did you go?"

"What are you doing...?" He knows and his face show something between pissed and amused. "Ran out of diapers."

He shrugs and walks to Mimi's room to lay Lily down.

I've known Roger since I was ten, he has never been one to get something for himself.

He settles down on the couch ready to tune the beloved Fender, looks at me,

"Mark, go away."

He starts laugh.

"We're fine..."

"I...I, I know...Mimi..."

"I'm fine. We don't need a baby sitter or a super hero."

Author's Notes:

As there was a question concerning this I thought I would clarify it broadly.

Question: How was Mimi five months pregnant and not showing when in your other story 'Maybe We'll All See' Ella is four months and is showing?

Answer: Simply, the drugs did play a major role. Mimi spent more time concerned with drugs that she did not feed her self properly there fore not nourishing Lily enough for a noticeably showable bump to be see (buyingd drugs not food), also while Lily was so sick when she was born. Or it could have been seen that she was showing it could be considered emanciation, is that word? (When your belly protrudes from lack of nutrition); but I'm probably going to use the first explanation. Also, in 'Maybe...' Ella had already been pregnant once with Kenna so it was easier for her to begin showing again. So, hopefully that helps explain it.

Rest of Review Responses:

newrenthead: did enjoy the opening of that review...thanks for the review

L.M.Ward: Dancing?...thanks for your two cents

Kelby: Hope you enjoy the path it takes

HarryPotterFan: I did...that why I am now confused...

carsonheir: fuzzy allows the reader to fill in some of the blanks...but hey, what can I say? you're right as always though on the other bit... Thanks

DancingStarofOz: Thanks. It's good to hear from ya...I hope the explanation helped some...I will admit it both shocked and made me furiously happy that you refrence Maybe We'll All See...Thanks agian.

Matt: Yeah, man...duh...no...I'm really bad at third person...but you knew that already. and that the point of the story...but you know I adore your opinion...

Born2bBad: 1: as to Benny, you'll see, that doesn't happen for a bit right now though. 2: I'm very happy to hear you like the tombstone, although I was a bit disappointed that no one picked up on the pillows...anyhow thanks!

until next time this is me...signing out.