Roger told the band he needed a break. He had to get clean. He couldn't lose Maureen and the baby. Pete, the drummer, was shaken by Mike's overdose and told Roger the band wouldn't replace him. Pete wanted to get clean too. Roger hated leaving the band even temporarily, but it was the only way to get away from the drugs.
Roger stood by the hospital bed and handed the baby to Maureen's mother.
"Oh, he's beautiful," she cooed.
"What name did you decide on?" Maureen's father asked.
"Aaron Michael Davis."
"Good name," he said, kissing his daughter's forehead.
Nancy Johnson passed her grandson to his grandfather and hugged Roger. "Congratulations, Daddy."
When they'd left an hour later, Roger sat in the rocking chair watching Maureen feed the baby. He waited until she was finished and kissed her forehead. She scooted over and patted the bed for Roger to lie with her and Aaron. Roger slid one arm over her shoulders and draped the other arm across her and the baby.
"Thank you," he whispered, leaning over to kiss her.
"For what?"
"Aaron. Everything."
Maureen smiled up at him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Just after Aaron's first birthday, the Well-Hungarians reunited. Maureen was almost more excited than Roger. Soon enough, they were back to regular weekend gigs in the city. Maureen stayed home with Aaron most weekends. Once in a while, her mother babysat so she could go. For the most part, though, Maureen liked being home with Aaron.
Unfortunately, the return of routine gigs also meant the return of drugs. Pete had relapsed almost immediately. Roger promptly refused each time. Instead, he'd leave after each gig, go to his hotel room and call Maureen.
Everything changed slowly. Roger wanted to move to the city. Maureen was hesitant. Aaron was nearly two and the city could be dangerous to anyone. She didn't know what to think when Roger began spending more and more time in the city. She didn't know what to think of the money from the gigs that was lessening with each show.
One afternoon, Maureen was doing laundry and came across a pair of Roger's jeans. Her husband had an unfortunate habit of leaving money, keys, even his wallet in his pockets. As always, she began to empty the pockets. She froze when the little baggie fell to the floor without a sound. Maureen bent to pick it up.
"What that?" Aaron asked.
Maureen jumped. She hadn't heard him come into the laundry room. She shook her head and tucked it into her pocket. "Nothing, honey. Nothing. You go play, okay?"
Aaron stood staring at her, at the tears in her eyes. "How come Mommy's cryin'?"
Maureen hesitated, not sure how to answer.
"Is you sad?"
"Yeah, yeah Mommy's just a little sad honey."
Aaron tugged on her arm until she bent down. He hugged her as tightly as his little arms could.
"Don't be sad, Mommy. I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
Roger came in and nearly tripped over Aaron's toys.
"Aaron!"
The little boy ran in. "Daddy!"
Roger bent down to hug him. "Think you can put away these cars, little man?"
Aaron nodded. He dropped to his knees and began scooping the cars into the bucket he stored them in.
Roger stood up and looked around the living room. "Aaron, where's Mommy?"
"Room. She sad."
Roger went down the hall to their bedroom. The door was slightly open. He stepped in and saw Maureen sitting on the bed.
"Hey, honey. You okay? Aaron said you're sad."
She turned to him, tears streaking her cheeks. Roger knelt down.
"Babe, what's the matter? Something happen? Are you okay?"
Without a word, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the bag, flinging it at him. "I found that when I was doing laundry."
Roger stared at it, shaking his head. He'd been so careful. So careful. "Maureen—"
"You promised."
"I know and I'm sorry, baby, I'm so sorry."
Maureen shook her head. "You can't…I can't do this. I won't expose Aaron to this shit."
"No, no, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Get rid of it."
Roger went to their bathroom and flushed it. He had the money to get more later on. That he thought would even occur to Roger made him sick to his stomach. He went back to the bed and sat beside Maureen.
"So what now?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what do we do?"
"I'm done with it. I'm not doing it anymore. I-I'll quit the band."
"You're willing to do that."
"Yes. Yes, I'll do anything. Please…please, just forgive me."
Maureen sighed and looked at Roger. He gently brushed away her tears.
"I'm so sorry…please…"
"You have to quit."
"I'll call Pete tonight."
"The drugs. You have to quit the drugs."
"That's where I was getting them. I'll just quit the band and then I won't be around them."
Maureen sighed. She put a hand on each side of his face. "Swear to me."
"I swear it."