Chapter 3: Your Eyes
Roger woke up to Mimi's coughing. It was beginning to become more frequent and stronger. He opened his eyes to see his lover curled up in a ball at the end of the bed, lying limp in a fit of coughs.
"Mimi!" he shouted, and pulled her back up to him. He brought the blanket tight around her, and held her close. As he rocked her, she began to calm down. He stroked her hair and face, noticing the dark purple spots freckling her face and neck. There were more than before, and they were darker. He leaned over the kissed every one of the spots, like a mother on her child's "boo-boos."
"I love you," she murmured into his neck. He looked at her, and kissed her lips. She smiled very weakly. "I have to tell you something," she said. He nodded. "Benny and I," she struggled, "we're not…there's nothing…he's not—"
Roger stopped her. "I know," he said. He looked into her eyes. "I have to tell you something. When I said that I was going to leave, it wasn't because I didn't…I mean, I really do—"
She put her thin hand up to stop him. "I know," she whispered. Here eyelids fell over her big brown eyes.
Her eyes.
"Mimi," Roger said. "I want to sing you my song. It's a song I wrote for you." The girl nodded, and he began to sing for her.
"Your eyes, as we said out goodbyes. Can't get them out of my mind, and I fin I can't hide from your eyes. The ones that took me by surprise the night you came into my life. Where there's moonlight, I see your eyes. How'd I let you slip away when I'm longing so to hold you? Now I die for one more day 'cause there's something I should have told you. Yes, there's something I should have told you when I looked into your eyes. Why does distance make us wise? You were the song along, and before the song dies: I should tell you, I should tell you, I have always loved you. You can see it in my eyes."
Mimi's eyes closed as she listened to him one great song, his glory.
"I love you," he whispered to her.
"I love you," she mumbled, and more faintly said, "Goodbye."
Roger's eyes opened wide, as he realized what she said. Goodbye?
Mimi's already frail body fell limp in his arms, as she breathed out one final breath. He pulled her up to his chest.
"Mimi!" he called out to no one.