Benny paced the waiting room. He rolled and unrolled his shirt sleeves. His headache worsened to a dull migraine. Benny pinched the bridge of his nose, wishing he knew what the hell was going on. The phone call with Maureen had been brief.

"Benjamin Cof—"

"Benny, it's me."

"Hey, Mo. What's goin' on?"

"I'm at the hospital. Roger took a bunch of aspirin and he's—I don't know how he is. Mark and Collins are on their way."

"They're not gonna want me there."

"Well I do. You're still our roommate and you're still our friend and I want you here. Please, Benny. Hurry?"

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

Maureen and Mark reappeared after what seemed like an hour. Benny checked his watch. Four minutes. Collins was a few feet behind them, looking tired. Benny frowned.

"Well?"

"I'm going to go get some coffee," Mark said. "Anybody want?"

Maureen and Benny shook their heads. Collins tapped Mark's shoulder. "I'll come with."

Benny waited for the two to leave before saying anything. "How is he?"

"He'll be okay. Resting now. They want him under observation."

"What the hell happened?"

Maureen shrugged and crossed her arms. "Not sure. I got there and he'd taken God knows how many aspirin with vodka."

"Shit…anyone talked to April?"

Maureen's eyes widened as she realized he still didn't know. He'd been at Allison's last night and they hadn't had a chance to talk to him. Maureen asked Benny to sit down and, as calmly as she could, told him of April's suicide.

Benny hadn't known April. They'd only met once. Still, he knew how much Roger cared about her and it broke his heart to know that her death had caused such a pain in one of his friends. Even one he didn't always see eye to eye with.

"Um…do-do you think I could maybe see him?"

Maureen bit her lip, weighing the decision. When she didn't answer, Benny shook his head. "It's okay. No big deal. Don't worry about it."

"Benny, I just—"

"Mo, I get it. It's not your fault. Besides, hospitals ain't exactly the best places to make apologies. And I meant what I told that doctor. I'll take care of the hospital bill. Don't let Roger worry about it."

"Thanks, Ben."

Benny stood up and offered a hand to help Maureen to her feet. He leaned down and hugged her.

"Tell him I said hi, okay?"

Maureen nodded. Benny stepped back and gave a little wave before turning and leaving. He didn't care to wait around for Mark and Collins.