Collins went into the hospital the first week of February. Maureen, six months pregnant, kept a vigil by his side. Roger carried in a cup of ice. She took it from him and held it to Collins's mouth. He licked at it weakly, then pushed it away.
"Mo, I gotta talk to you," he mumbled. "Get Roger outta here."
She nodded and turned to Roger. "Think we could get a second alone, Rog?"
His eyes met hers. They both knew why Collins would want to talk to them alone. Roger left quietly, hardly daring to breathe.
"It's time, Maureen," he said.
Her eyes filled with tears. "Collins…"
"Uh-uh, my turn to talk…You….you're gonna be a good mama….Don't be scared…" Collins had to take a deep breath before he could continue. "You're gonna be a good mama…Thank you."
"For what, sweetie?"
"For bein' the spirit of our family…Angel was the heart, but you…you were the spirit. And you always make people smile. You keep smiling, no matter what. Okay?"
She nodded, not trusting her voice to answer.
"It's okay. I…I get to see my Angel again…" he coughed. "I-I love you, girl."
"Love you too, baby."
Maureen squeezed his hand and leaned down to kiss his clammy forehead.
"Mark…and Roger…they'll be okay…tell 'em…tell 'em they'll be okay…tell 'em I said so. And…that I love…them both…"
Maureen's tears froze in her eyes. Collins reached up a frail hand to touch her stomach. She felt his hand on her belly and in the same instant, felt a kicking sensation. The baby. It was the first time she'd felt the baby move. She smiled and looked down at Collins. He smiled and gave her a wink. His eyes closed. Maureen's smile faded as his breathing grew more and more shallow, then stopped.
"Collins? Collins?"
The heart monitor sent out a steady tone. Its little green line stopped jumping. A nurse rushed in and checked his stats, then looked at the clock.
"I'm sorry," she said. "He's gone."
