"Where are we going?" Benny asked. It his birthday, and Alison was taking him somewhere to celebrate.
"You'll see." She answered slyly, giggling and reminding Benny just how much he loved her and her carefree spirit. Actually, Alison reminded him of his childhood friend, Mimi Marquez. They'd known each other since the diaper days and had been friends through all the years. But recently she'd gotten into drugs and didn't need Benny anymore. He wished that he could see his old friend again, but Alison usually didn't let him go into that area of New York City.
Benny tried his luck again. "Alison, where are you taking me? I don't like surprises."
Benny heard his wife sigh lightheartedly. "Oh Benny, I know you like surprises as much as I do! And you'll see in a little bit! Stop being so impatient."
Benny rolled his eyes and continued staring at the navy blue bandanna tied around his head. As his beloved wife dragged him to who-knows-where, Benny let his mind wander back to the days in the loft with Roger, Mark, Collins and Maureen. He missed them a lot.
"Why can't I be with Alison and have them not hate me?" Benny mumbled to himself.
"What was that Benny-boo?" Alison asked, concern in her voice.
"Oh nothing," Benny answered, "I was just wondering where you were taking me."
"You'll see you impatient little kid!" Alison answered.
Benny continued thinking about his 'ex'-friends. He and Roger were never really close, so Benny didn't miss the rocker that much. Collins had quickly become a good friend. They'd spent a lot of time together. He'd gotten Collins his job as a professor and Collins had introduced Benny to his sister's best friend- Alison Grey. And, of course, Collins was about the only bohemian who didn't ridicule him about it.
And then there was Mark. Sweet, too-mature-for-his-age Mark. Mark was like the little brother Benny had (instead of his three older sisters that he never kept in contact with). Quite the contrary, Mark was also like the older brother Benny never had. They hadn't been friends, but they did share some kind of brotherly love.
"We're here!" Alison sung happily, removing the blindfold.
Benny stood in the middle of the Life Café, shocked as Mark and Collins yelled 'happy birthday Benny!' as loud as they could.
"Happy birthday Benny-boo," Alison whispered in his ear, giving him a kiss.
