Collins arranged for a grad student to teach his classes for the next few days. Roger's physical withdrawals weren't nearly as bad this time, but only because they'd intervened so soon. The psychological addiction stayed strong as ever. Collins locked him in his room the first night and sat guard outside.
Maureen waited until she heard Roger's door shut before opening Mark's door. She didn't say a word to Collins but tossed a handful of ice into a dishtowel and brought the makeshift icepack to Mark. Without a word, she shoved it at him and went out to the living room. Collins leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes.
"Collins?"
He opened his eyes. "Yeah?"
"Thanks," Maureen said with a small smile.
"No problem, baby girl."
In the morning, Collins opened the door for Roger and ordered him out. The musician lay on his stomach, pillow pulled over his head.
"Roger, I ain't got the time for your melodramatic bullshit. Get ya ass outta bed."
"Go away."
"No."
"Just leave me alone," his voice was muffled by the pillow.
"Roger—" Collins stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Maureen standing beside him. She jerked her head towards the door and Collins sighed. Maureen crossed her arms and stared until Collins, shaking his head, stood and left.
She went to the side of the bed. "Roger."
"Go away, Mo."
"No can do."
"Yes can do. Get out."
"No."
Roger groaned and mumbled something into the pillow. Maureen sat down on the bed beside him, rubbing his back.
"Come on, honey. Let's get you some breakfast and rejoin the world of the living."
Roger sighed and rolled over. One eye was blackened and his lip was swollen. Maureen frowned.
"Looks that bad, huh?"
"We should put some ice on it," she said with a small nod.
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
"Do you forgive me?"
"Is it ever going to happen again?"
Roger shook his head. "No, never. I-I don't want to be like that. I don't want to do that. I don't…"
"Then I forgive you," she said with a shrug.
Roger stood up. "Is Mark still mad?"
"Not sure. He'll be fine though soon as he sees you."
Roger frowned.
Maureen laughed and gave him a quick hug. "Don't worry, he doesn't look much better."
