1Chapter 3

"Meem?" Roger's muffled voice found its way out of the sheets and pillows.

"Yeah baby?" Mimi ran a hand through his thick hair.

"That was amazing. Like, WOW .." Roger's facial expression showed that he wasn't kidding.

"Yeah? Well, most guys do tell me that." Mimi joked back at him, but Roger knew there was truth behind her teasing. Every man (and some women) in Alphabet City wanted Mimi in their bed.

"Yeah? Well maybe I should give them a piece of my mind about gettin' all touchy-feely on my girl, huh?"

'My girl'. She liked it. Mimi laughed at him, not at his silliness, but at the fact that 2 days ago Roger wouldn't have let her sit on his bed. Then her stomach growled. Loudly.

"You hungry too?" Roger must have heard. "Do we have power yet?"

Mimi got out of bed and attempted to turn on the lights. Darkness. "Guess not. Benny's an asshole, you know that?"

"No kidding. I think it's time for us to invade Collins' place. I hope he has pizza." Roger chuckled at himself.

Ever since Angel died in October, Collins had not been himself. Angel had really brought out the best in him, and now he was always lonely. Mimi and Roger mutually decided that he could use some company.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BEEP!

Collins shuffled over to the coffee pot. He hated being alone. On gloomy days like this, he and Angel would have normally 'spend the day in'. Now that Angel was .. gone (Collins hated the word dead), and Maureen and Joanne were out of town, and Mimi and Roger, well, Collins suspected that if Mimi had finally cracked him, they would be busy. Mark was never any fun.

Maureen had taken Joanne to Long Island for a surprise lovers' getaway, maybe to show Joanne how sorry she was that she really screwed up their engagement ceremony. Collins didn't want to think about all the lovely lesbian sex they would be having at the Johnson's exclusive summer house.

In the meantime, Collins would sit on his sofa and drink pots and pots of coffee in his favorite trench coat. It was a gift from her. Normally he would get drunk with Roger and Mark, but Collins wasn't even in the mood for that. He just sat on the couch and drank coffee.

Knock, knock.

Someone was at the door! Collins really hoped it was one of his friends coming to keep him company.

"Surprise! We came over because Mimi sucks." Roger was oddly peppy.

"Mimi sucks, hmm? Wouldn't that keep you two at home-?" Collins smirked at the two of them.

"SHUT UP COLLINS," Mimi and Roger chorused

Collins laughed. "So, Mimi sucks? Cut to the chase, brother."

Mimi gave Roger a look, and he gave her a 'don't-you-dare-bring-that-up-again' look right back. "So I don't know how to use a microwave? I bought him a pizza. Compliments of that creepy Mexican guy with the buck teeth, the regular at work I tell you about."

"SO did not need to hear that. Meem, you don't know how to use your microwave? Why do you have one then? Why don't you sell it and get some extra cash?" Collins stopped. "Why are we still standing in the doorway? Come, have a seat."

Roger and Mimi sat down on Collins couch. "Hey, do you guys want something to eat? I think I picked up the hint. I've got tons of shit. Bananas, cream cheese .." He fumbled through cabinets, and one of the doors broke off. "DAMN. When I stole these off the street they were perfectly fine. Oh well. Celery, Raisin Bran, apples, granola .."

"Are you on one of those weird faggot diets where you copy the eating habits of a 60-year-old woman?" Roger poked fun at Collins, knowing he wouldn't take it personally.

"It's based on 70-year-old women! God, Davis. If you want real shit we can run down to the McDonalds. Sounds good?"

Mimi nodded and Roger added, "Who's paying?"

Collins looked at the floor. He had quit his teaching job when Angel died, and income was sparse. Roger reached a hand into his pocket and pullet out his wallet. He opened it to find two dollar bills. "Well .." They both looked at Mimi.

"Remind me why we came over here again. I thought it was to mooch off Collins!" Mimi pulled a 20 out of her bra and waved it in the air as she stood up and put on her jacket.

Collins joked, "To Mexican beavers!" Roger punched him in the stomach. "You keep things .. in there?", Collins directed at Mimi.

"When I don't have pockets. It's easier than trying to keep it in place in a thong! Play nice, boys.", Mimi yelled over her shoulder as the three of them made their way down the stairs and out of the apartment building.

Roger and Collins stopped in their tracks and exchanged a look that needed no explanation.