Maureen wrapped her arms around Joanne and held her as close as possible. Their naked bodies were pressed together. It was as if they were one being. Neither one wanted the moment to end. Tomorrow, Joanne was having life saving surgery. Maureen ran her fingers up and down Joanne's smooth back as if needing proof that she was actually there. Joanne nuzzled Maureen's neck, leaving small, loving kisses in her wake. Maureen moaned contently. Joanne felt the vibrations and stopped.
"I love you, Maureen, no matter what happens," she murmured.
"Don't talk like that, you're going to be fine," Maureen insisted. Not only did Joanne need to hear those words, but Maureen did too.
Mark sat at the kitchen table flipping through the Village Voice. Roger stumbled out of his and Mimi's bedroom, fully dressed.
"You do realize that it's six thirty in the morning, right?" Mark asked.
"Yeah, I'm going with you to the hospital," Roger replied as he made himself a cup of coffee. "You want some?"
"Can't have anything before the surgery." Roger flopped down in the seat across from Mark.
"That sucks." Mark shrugged.
"It's worth it in the end." Roger took a sip of his coffee. It was obvious that something was bothering him. "Okay, what's wrong?"
"I don't see why you're doing this. I mean, you're giving Joanne your kidney. Don't you need both of yours?" Mark shook his head.
"People have two kidneys, one is a backup. Both of Joanne's aren't working right. By giving her one of mine, we'll both have one fully-functional kidney."
"You're giving Joanne a part of you. This woman stole your girlfriend for God's sake!"
"I can't believe you! I don't blame Joanne at all for Maureen dumping me, and I'm completely over that; you should be too. One of my best friends is sick, and I hold the key to helping her get better."
"I'm sick too, Mark," Roger said quietly. Mark opened and closed his mouth several times. Roger stood up. "Whatever. Let me tell Mimi that we're going." Mark cleaned up a little. Roger's words rang in his ears.
Mimi was curled up in bed with a blanket drawn around her thin shoulders. She was beautiful. Roger gently shook her shoulder. Mimi drew in a sharp breath and rolled onto her back. She opened her eyes partially and smiled when she saw Roger.
"I'm leaving with Mark, okay?" Roger asked. Mimi nodded sleepily.
"That's fine. I'll stop by the hospital after work," she mumbled. Roger gave her a kiss.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips.
"I love you too." Roger fixed the blanket Mimi was using and ran his fingers through her hair, which was fanned out across her pillow. It only took Mimi a few seconds to succumb to sleep. Roger kissed her forehead softly and stood up. He had to be the luckiest man on the planet to have Mimi as his girlfriend.
Maureen pressed her lips against Joanne's in a passionate kiss one last time. Joanne squeezed Maureen with all her might.
"I'll see you in a few hours, okay?" she asked as if she were just going to work. Maureen nodded. "Hey, I love you, Honeybear."
"I love you too, Pookie." Joanne squeezed Maureen's hands one last time before leaving with Mark. Roger gave Maureen a comforting hug.
"Don't worry, they'll both be alright," he assured. Maureen leaned against Roger, taking advantage of his rare sign of affection towards anyone but Mimi.
Four hours later, Maureen was spread out across a worn and faded couch in the waiting room on her stomach. Her left arm dangled over the edge of the couch, and she pulled at the loose threads of the carpet. Roger was busy watching cable TV for once in his life. There were a few other people in the room waiting for their loved ones to get out of surgery too. For the most part, everyone kept to themselves. A doctor entered the room. This was a regular occurrence, but the air was still filled with tension and anticipation. Maureen recognized the doctor as Dr. Connors. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Is there anyone here for Mark Cohen?" he asked. Roger and Maureen leapt to their feet while everyone else went back to what they had been doing. "Come with me, please."
Maureen and Roger followed Dr. Connors out to the crowded corridor outside the waiting room. Both eagerly anticipated new on Mark.
"Mr. Cohen is out of surgery. He's a little groggy and sore but otherwise fine. Feel free to go see him."
"What about Joanne?" Maureen asked.
"She'll still be in surgery for a little while longer." Maureen and Roger thank Dr. Connors before going to see Mark.
Mark was lying on his left side facing the door with his eyes closed. He looked odd without his glasses on. Roger cleared his throat. Mark slowly opened his eyes and rolled onto his back.
"Hey sweetie, how are you feeling?" Maureen asked as she took a seat next to Mark's bed. Mark groaned.
"Where's Joanne?" he muttered.
"She's still in surgery," Maureen replied. Mark nodded sleepily.
"Do you want your glasses?" Roger asked. Mark shook his head. His eyes slipped closed again.
"Mark? Marky, are you awake?" Mark opened his eyes. He looked around with an unfocused gaze for a few seconds before rubbing his eyes.
"Where's Joanne?" he asked yet again. Roger and Maureen could barely contain their laughter as they looked at each other. Groggy was definitely not the word to describe Mark.
After about an hour, Roger and Maureen returned to the waiting room so Mark could get some sleep. Maureen rested her head against Roger's shoulder and allowed herself to close her eyes and relax. Now that Mark was out of surgery, it was a sign. Soon, Joanne would be out of surgery and this nightmare would be over.