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3:00-4:00

Mark panned his camera around Tompkins Square Park and finally settled it on a young couple sitting on a wobbly park bench. The sunshine had brought out people of every creed and color. The young man, studded and tattooed, flicked the camera off but a small grin spread over his lips. Mark figured that was a clear indication that he wasn't that pissed off about being caught candidly on camera. The young girl sitting next to him turned her striking red-haired head to look at whatever he had flicked off and seeing the camera, winked at Mark. Shifting the camera in his hands, he joined Collins on an even wobblier park bench.

"He reminds me of Roger." Mark said. A smile lit up his face as he thought of his best friend.

"Tell me about him." Collins draped an arm over the back of the bench and turned to face Mark.

"Who? That kid?"

"No, boy. Roger. I want to hear about him from the person who knows him best." Collins pulled the sunglasses off the top of his head and settled them on his face.

"What can I say about him? He's Roger. He grew up in Scarsdale, but he didn't transfer to my school district until seventh grade. That's how we met. Cohen and Davis naturally follow each other when placed in alphabetical order. Our seventh grade natural science teacher sat us next to each other, we were forced to talk through lab work, friendship formed and I guess the rest is history."

"Yeah, but what about him? That boy's got baggage."

"He's always had it. I told you his dad ran out on him when he was young. He spent the majority of his childhood and early adolescence taking care of his younger sister Audrey while his mother worked three jobs so they could keep their house."

"Did you two live close to each other?"

"Oh yeah. Three houses down from mine. I don't know how I even existed before Roger moved into town. Life was so boring. I usually spent most of my time playing Barbies with my older sister Cindy. Or other decidedly un-male activities. Please keep in mind that she was my older sister and I had very little choice in the matter. Thank God for Roger. After he moved in, we were inseparable. My mom watched out for him and Audrey when his mom wasn't there, which was most of the time. Audrey is only a year and half younger than us, so she usually tagged along whenever we went places, like the park so that I could take pictures, this was before I had my video camera, and Roger could take his guitar and serenade the geese. Our moms took to calling us "The Three Amigos" or "The Three Musketeers". My dad even taught Roger how to drive. He and Audrey became honorary Cohens."

"Wow, that's pretty idyllic. Sounds like you were his lifesaver."

"Nah, we both saved each other. And taught each other a lot. He's my brother," Mark grinned, "He's just a little taller, a hell of a lot cooler, and has an all-around different genetic structure than I do. But if you're asking me to define him in one word, it's impossible. There are too many layers to Roger for just one word."

"He seems like the type who would be hard to describe. But I like him. Besides, anyone that you put so much trust in couldn't possibly be a bad person."

"I'm glad that you like him. He thinks pretty highly of you. And thanks for the compliment."

"I mean it. I'm an open person Mark. I don't say things I don't mean. I don't have the time too. My perspective on life changed after I was diagnosed. I think it's important to tell people how you feel. And I feel comfortable around you. I like you Mark, I really do. You've got a good head on your shoulders and I know that one day you'll be an amazing filmmaker. I'm glad that of all the people who could have been my roommates, I got you, Roger and Benny. I think we're going to have some fun. Selfishly, I'm glad that I have three more friends."

"I like you too Collins. And I'm glad that we're friends and roommates." Mark grinned and looked down at the camera in his hands.

"Boy, you're not going to blush, are you? Because that would make it look like I just hit on you or something. Which isn't to say I wouldn't if you were gay." Collins chuckled, expecting a shy, stammering response from the young man sitting next to him.

"No, I don't blush easily. But if you did hit on me, and if I were gay, I'm sure I'd be extremely flattered." Mark grinned back at Collins.

"You're a good kid, you know that?" Collins put an arm around Mark's shoulders and gave them a quick squeeze.

A comfortable silence settled between the two friends. Mark turned his camera on and continued to film the people around them. His eye trained on a shifty man standing in a shady corner of the park. Collins noticed what he was looking at and quickly moved the camera away.

"Don't film him."

"Why not?"

"That, Mark, is a drug dealer. They call him The Man. He's bad news."

"Collins, how would you know that? Do you use drugs?" Mark flinched immediately. It wasn't any of his business what Collins did.

Collins head turned swiveled to look at Mark, "You must feel comfortable around me. No, Mark, I don't use drugs. Well, other than alcohol and the occasional joint…what's that look for? Okay! My daily joint. I like my weed. But I've never done anything harder than that and I don't plan too. I know who that is because I've lived here for a few years."

"I'm sorry Collins. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Boy, you didn't offend me. It takes a lot to make me mad. Don't worry, you're safe. So lose that "I-just-lost-my-dog" look." Collins slapped a hand on Mark's back and laughed. Mark just smiled.

"So, whatever happened with Audrey? Are you all still close?"

"Not like we were growing up. When Roger decided to move into the city, it caused a bit of a rift between the two. Audrey was angry at him for being a musician and "wasting his life" as she put it. She wouldn't speak to me after I dropped out of Brown. All I know about her now is that she's at NYU studying political science on a full ride."

"I'm sorry to hear that. But blood is thicker than just about anything. She'll get over it."

"Yeah, I hope so because Roger really loves and cares for her. He practically raised her. And you can tell."

"How's that?"

"She's got a mouth on her like a sailor on shore leave. Anyway, we'd better be getting back. Benny and Roger are probably wondering where we are." Mark stood and Collins followed suit.

"Yeah, you're right. This was fun though."

"Yeah, it was."