A/N: All right, so much for not as many updates. Looks like 2 in one night for you lucky people!
Mimi's Secret
Chapter 7
Time had passed, and it was now December 24, 9 PM EST.
Mimi and Melodie Marquez sat huddled together on the sidewalk. Mimi was shivering and feverish, while Melodie was chilled and listless. Mimi had a horrible coughing fit, while Melodie looked on, her normally bright eyes glazed over. The little girl rested her head on Mimi's shoulder while her mother shivered and coughed.
INSERT LINE HERE
"MIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIII!" hollered Maureen, searching by the light of the street lamps for her friend.
Joanne ran to catch up with her partner. "We'll find them, Honeybear," Joanne assured her.
"It's Christmas Eve," said Maureen nervously, "so I'm surprised that she didn't go home on her own. She does have a loft with heat."
"Maybe she remembers last year, when Benny cut off the power."
"MIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIII!" yelled Maureen even louder.
"It's awfully cold," noticed Joanne.
"She has her coat."
"But it's probably all worn out now."
The two women continued walking through the park with their arms around each other. They continued talking, keeping their voices hushed.
But they were heard. "Auntie Mo? Auntie Joanne?"
Maureen heard the plaintive call. "Melodie? Where are you, Chiquita?" Maureen rushed ahead, searching desperately for the toddler.
"Honeybear?" Joanne asked, confused. "What are you doing?"
"Shush!"
"Maureen…"
"I swear to God that I heard Mel!"
"Maureen?" coughed a weak voice that both women recognized.
They finally found Mimi and Melodie sitting below a tree.
"Jesus!" said Maureen when she saw them. "Look at you two!"
"You okay, Meems?" asked Joanne.
"I've been better," Mimi said shakily.
Maureen sat next to her with a hand on Mimi's forehead. "You're burning up."
"I'll be fine," said Mimi, attempting to stand up.
Joanne immediately picked Mimi up. Mimi pathetically attempted to struggle, but she gave in in the end. Maureen picked up Melodie. "She's all skin and bones," the women murmured at the same time.
"Roger," Mimi said weakly.
"The loft," said Joanne, and they rushed to the loft.
"MARK! ROGER! ANYONE, HELP!" screamed Maureen.
"Maureen?" gasped Mark, climbing outside into the fire escape, followed by Roger and Collins. All three of them went bug-eyed at the sight.
"It's Mimi! I can't get her up the stairs!"
"NO!" wailed Roger, rushing down to help.
"She was huddled in the park in the dark," explained Maureen as she watched Mark and Roger take Mimi out of Joanne's arms, "and she was freezing, and begged to come here."
"Got a light," mumbled Mimi, "I know you; you're shivering."
"We need some heat!" Mark called.
"I'm shivering."
"I'm afraid she needs more than heat," said Collins darkly.
"I heard that."
"Collins will call for a doctor, honey," Maureen said soothingly, handing Melodie off to Joanne.
"Don't waste your money on Mimi, me, me…."
"911? I'm on hold!" Collins cried.
"Cold! Cold! Would you light my candle?" Mimi begged Roger.
"Yes, we'll, oh God, find a candle!" he said desperately, and Maureen began hunting for one.
"I should tell you, I should tell you…" Mimi said softly.
"I should tell you, I should tell you…" Roger said back.
"I should tell you Benny wasn't any…"
"Shh, I know. I should tell you why I left. It wasn't 'cause I didn't…"
"I know. I should tell you…"
"I should tell you…"
"I should tell you I love you…" Mimi trailed off. The world faded around her. All she could see was the dark tunnel, heading towards a light. So warm, so warm, and there was Mel, right beside her…