Benny got to his feet. From what he could tell, he was in his late twenties, early thirties. He turned around to see all his Bohemian friends again.
"Hey you guys," he said with a weak smile.
"'Hey you guys'? Is that the best you can do?" Collins exclaimed. "Even Roger does better than that. Come join us!" Mark grabbed Benny a beer, and shoved it into his hands. Everyone was gathered around the counter that separated the kitchen from the main room. A large array of junk food and alcohol was spread out on the surface.
"Welcome to heaven, man," Roger said before taking a long drink from his own beer. He had one arm around Mimi's waist, and she was talking to Angel in an excited Spanish.
"This is heaven?" Benny asked, slightly skeptical. He came to the conclusion that it couldn't be hell, because Muffy wasn't there. She had died a few years ago in the arms of her third husband. She had been cheating on Benny since before their engagement.
"Long time no see, huh Benny?" April asked the businessman. Benny nodded. He was still getting used to the fact that he was dead.
"Too long," he replied. "What, it's been about 70 years since you-" Benny trailed off.
"Since I killed myself, yeah." Everyone was surprised that April had talked about her suicide. That was a topic no one dared mention. April pulled at the sleeve to her sweatshirt consciously. Even though she bore no scars from her actions, she still felt uncomfortable about the whole thing. Later, after numerous long talks with Angel, she realized how selfish her actions had been. She had had so much to live for, and in a split second, she shattered several people's lives.
"Earth to April," Roger said, bringing April back to the loft. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied with the convincing smile that had first won Roger's heart over, but now only told him that she was fine.
Joanne looked around the room. It had to be close to midnight, and everyone was getting tired. Mimi had already fallen asleep on Roger's lap with her head resting on his shoulder. Angel and Collins had retreated to their room hand in hand fifteen minutes earlier. Maureen's head was in Joanne's lap, and the lawyer could tell that her over was fighting off sleep herself.
"I guess we should call it a night," Mark said quietly as he stood up and stretched.
Roger said, "Yeah." He got up too, holding Mimi carefully in his arms. "Where will Benny sleep? All the rooms are taken."
"I'll sleep on the couch out here," Benny offered. Mark looked around the room as if hoping another bedroom would appear.
"You know what, tomorrow Mimi and I will move into her apartment downstairs. That way, you guys have enough space, and we have more privacy to-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence Roger Davis!" Benny exclaimed, causing Roger and Mark to both burst out laughing. Mimi stirred slightly, but remained asleep.
"Okay, that sounds good to me," Mark said after he stopped laughing. Roger carried Mimi to their room while Mark retrieved some blankets and a pillow for Benny.
"Thanks," Benny said as he took the blankets and pillow, and spread them out on the couch.
Mark returned to his room, closing the door behind him. He leaned again the window frame, and stared out into East Village. Everyone was finally here. No more waiting and wondering. Waiting for the next Bohemian to arrive; something April had been doing for nearly 70 years. Wondering who would be next, who would be the center of the next joyous celebration. Mark sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. This was the end of the anticipation. Now, the only thing left to do was get wasted everyday, and really live out the meaning of "viva la vie bohemé".
The End
