Author's note: Whew, this one was a doozy. Well, here you go, I'm finally updating!

Roger was still sound asleep when Mimi woke up the next morning. She left him in bed, and started for the living room. Mark intercepted her. "Is Roger up?"

Mimi shook her head. "No. Why?"

Mark sighed. "Good. Don't let him leave the room when he wakes up. I'll get rid of her."

Mimi frowned. "Who?"

Mark glanced behind him. "His mother," he whispered. "She showed up about two am. Keeps saying he called her."

Mimi frowned. "Let me talk to her. You go wake Roger. He did call her. You mother told him to."

Mark nodded. "Ten minutes."

Mimi nodded. "Right."

Mimi stepped into the living room. She smiled warmly. "Good morning. You must be Charlene. I'm Mimi."

Charlene raised an eyebrow. "Mimi, huh? Well, you seem nice enough. Or naïve enough. How long you been with Roger?"

Mimi blushed. "Officially, a little under two years, with a six month break."

Charlene nodded. "Ah. So, my son knock you up yet?"

"Mom!" Roger came barreling into the room. "How…extremely rude of you to ask!" He wrapped an arm around Mimi. "What brings you here, anyway?"

Charlene smiled. "I wanted to see how my only baby was."

Roger rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh. I sent postcards."

Charlene nodded. "Yes. One-liners. How did you expect me to understand things like…" she pulled several worn cards from her pocket. "'April died.' Or 'Locked out. I'll call.' Or even, 'Angel's dead, moving to Santa Fe.'"

Roger shrugged. "You forgot 'Found Mimi, thinking of Florida.'"

Charlene sighed. "Yes, that too. Anyway, I decided to pay you a visit. Find out how you've been. We haven't spoken since your senior year."

Roger nodded. "Well, you brought that on yourself. If it were up to me, I'd have had a better relationship with you."

Charlene smiled wryly. "I should have waited to have you. We might have had a real relationship."

Roger shrugged. "Little late now. Besides, wasn't I born addicted to LSD or something similar?"

Charlene nodded. "It was the sixties."

"That's not an excuse!" Roger glared at his mother. "You're always blaming the sixties! Why not place the blame where it actually belongs? On you and that asshole who happens to be my sperm donor!"

Charlene stood. "Listen here, young man…"

"Don't threaten me!" Roger growled. "I'm not sixteen anymore. You can't intimidate me!"

"Roger…" Mimi began.

Roger ignored her. "I think you should leave now, Mom," he spat.

Mimi stood. "But she just got here!"

"No, Roger's right." Charlene smiled icily. "I should go. I guess I'm just not meant to have a, um, a good relationship with my son." She leaned in close to Roger, whispering, "You'll be sorry, I swear."

Roger was unfazed. "Leave. Now!"

Charlene swept out of the apartment. The air was stale. Roger was white with anger, his fist clenched. Mark was trembling, and Mimi was left unsure of what to do. She moved behind Roger, massaging his shoulders gently. Roger sighed. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Meems. God, my mother is the only person who can infuriate me like that!"

Mimi nodded. "I see that."

Roger shook his head. "I just…let me be for awhile, Meems." He grabbed the guitar and headed to the roof.

Mimi turned to Mark. "Should I be worried?"

Mark shook his head. "No. He'll deal. Just leave him be for awhile, okay?"

Mimi nodded. "Alright. I have to go, anyway. I've got a prenatal checkup to get to."

Mark smiled. "Have fun."

Meanwhile, on the roof, Roger tuned the Fender aimlessly, before getting a sense of being watched. He glanced around, even off the building. All he saw was the Man, standing on the corner, talking to a customer, who looked strangely like his mother. The Man glanced up, and shot him a dirty look. Roger nodded, discreetly turning away. He shook his head, ridding himself of the sensation. "Chill, Rog," he muttered to himself. "You're getting paranoid again. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. "He scooped up the guitar, deftly plucking a few chords. The feeling came back, and Roger shivered. "There is nothing to be afraid of, dammit!" he told himself. Glancing around, he added, "Right?"