Post-Rent

Chapter 4

Roger strode into the loft to find Mark on the couch, reading The Village Voice. He started to take off his coat but Mark stopped him.

"Collins wants us to meet him at the Life Café, I don't know why, but he said be there at 12." Roger looked at Mark in a funny way, but then shrugged his coat back on. Mark put on his scarf and coat and the two friends headed out into the unforgiving February air to meet their other friend at the Life Café. On the way there, Mark asked how Mimi was doing.

"I guess she's alright. You know, I'm not a doctor so I can't say that she's perfectly fine."

"No, I meant the Rehab. How's that going?"

"Oh, fine, I think. When I got into her room yesterday afternoon, she was shaking so violently I thought she was going into, like, epileptic shock or something to that effect." Roger and Mark turned a corner and headed into the Life Café. They were greeted by Collins, who had been waiting in the front, at a table by the window for them. He got up as they entered the restaurant and hugged both of them separately. Collins sat by the window and Mark took the seat next to him. Roger sat across from Collins by the window. Collins had already ordered three coffees, just how each of them liked it. Mark's Decaf, Collins had his Dark, and Roger's with cream and sugar...lots of sugar. Collins started to say something to Mark, but the changed his mind and addressed Roger.

"I...ummm...wanted to tell you about this thing I heard about..." He looked at Roger who sat hunched over his coffee, hands wrapped around the mug, he was staring at Collins.

"...I, well, we.." He gestured to Mark. "We wanted to talk to you about Mimi." Collins knew he was going into a vulnerable area in Roger. He was prepared to have Roger explode at him, knowing the Roger thought he was always right. Roger looked like a dog that pricked up its ears at the sound of his owners car coming up the driveway after a long day. Mark continued the conversation.

"The Rehab called today while you were out and they said that Mimi was doing well, but..." he paused and looked at Collins. Collins nodded. Mark continued.

"Well, she had a visitor today. It was him...The Man. He gave her a free stash of heroin. She didn't accept it. He forced her to shoot up. I'm sorry Roger, the Rehab found out...she was so close to finishing...now she has to start again...from square one." Mark hung his head. He knew Roger was going to explode. He waited. Roger looked out the window. He asked to be excused. He put on his coat and headed outside. Mark and Collins followed. Soon outside, Roger exploded. The time bomb had clicked.

"How the hell could she do this! She was so fucking close to coming home to me! Dammit!"

"Roger, chill. Seriously, you can't just get all excited over something so small...it's only another month..." Mark tried to calm him down, but it didn't work out very well.

"No, Mark, it's not just another month. For me it's like a fucking eternity. I haven't made out with her in 3 months! How can I go another one? I'm starting to feel depressed, she's not here to make me happy, to brighten up my day. I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch that gave her the heroin!" He paced up and down the sidewalk as he yelled.

"Listen to me! I'm only trying to stop you from getting yourself killed! You're treading in deep water now, Roger. This is a drug dealer we're talking about 'killing'. He has connections, he could have you killed."

"You know what, Mark, I'm sick and tired of your peace-making bullshit. I just want Mimi back in my life, I want her to finish Rehab so we can be together. I don't want her to be haunted by a man who hunts you down if you don't buy. I just want her safe in my arms so I can protect her...don't you understand? She's the love of my life..."

"I thought you said April was the love of your life."

"Jesus! Don't bring her up now! I've moved on, Dammit! I don't care about her, she's my past. Mimi is my present and future."

"She could be your death, Roger! I don't want you getting killed because you want revenge on the guy that got your girlfriend stuck in Rehab for another fucking month! It's just one month!"

"Mark! You don't get it! I can't have her there! She needs me, but I can't be there for her everyday! I'm so stressed out...I just can't do this anymore..." He sighed, turned to the side of the building, and slammed his fist into it. He winced in pain and then faced Mark, who had tears in his eyes. He had never seen Mark like that and Mark had never seen Roger that angry. Roger strode up to Mark and gave him a hug. They held onto each other until Collins came and said they were being stared at by the people passing by. They immediately let go and brushed themselves off. As they walked, Collins brought up the subject of Roger's temper flare.

"Damn, boy. I've never seen you like that. What the hell happened to the solitary, quiet guy I used to know?" Roger's hands were shoved deep into his pockets. He kept looking down until Collins addressed him again.

"Hello? Earth to Roger. This is Collins speaking-"

"I heard you, and I don't know, I'm just...really protective of Mimi...it's like a time bomb had clicked inside of me..."

"You could've killed someone...God, I didn't know you could be so touchy." Mark chimed in.

"Shut up, Mark. I don't need your help."

"How's your hand, boy?" Collins gestured to one of the hands that were shoved deep into Roger's coat pocket. Roger pulled it out slowly. It stung when it hit the cold air. There were scrapes on it, and it had bled a little, but other than that, it was fine.

"Hurts." Roger looked at his hand. He hoped that he hadn't broken something.

"Well, pray you didn't break anything, you crazy-ass white boy." Collins laughed at his own joke. Mark joined in on the laughter. Roger gave them a dirty look and shoved his hands back into his pockets, slowly, because it hurt. When they reached the building, Collins and Mark were practically dying of laughter and Roger was angry and sad and in pain all at the same time. He trudged up the stairs with the others but went to the rooftop instead of following them back to the loft. Once on the rooftop, Roger leaned against the railing and stared at the buildings that surrounded him. He longed to be able to have Mimi there with him, to enclose her in his arms and kiss her everywhere he could. But because of what had happened, he would be alone for another month. He wished he could look into her eyes and tell her he loved her. He longed for her, he wanted to tell her she would be okay and that she could feel safe in his arms, in his eyes.