As they sat in the almost silent room, introducing themselves as they did pretty much every meeting, some of the familiar faces were absent. One face was new though, among the old AIDs suffering friends at Life Support. She was of medium, average height, she had long dark brown straight hair, and she was thin, almost to the point of anorexic thin. When it came to be her turn, Mark, who had taken over since Paul had died, said, "Welcome, what would your name be?"

"I'm Angie," she replied shyly yet confidently. As soon as she began, Collins was captured by her sweet melodic voice. He had spent the last year mourning Angel's death. Now he was searching to see if there was another true love for him.

An hour or so later, they were all saying their goodbyes, when Mark was struck with a wonderful and somewhat brilliant idea. "Hey Angie," he called, "do you want to join us? Roger, Mimi, Collins and I, along with some of our other friends are going to the Life Café for a get together."

"Sure," Angie said complingly. Why not, she thought to herself. Because you don't have any money, she answered herself silently. "Um actually, I don't have any money, so I don't think I'll be able to," she said. Mark, who understood, came up with a quick solution for her dilemma.

"No problem, I'll pay for you tonight, I'm positive that Collins will help."

"Yeah, I don't mind," Collins added.

Roger, who had been Frenching with Mimi by the doors while waiting for Mark and Collins, and shouted, "Hey! When the Hell are we gonna leave?"

With a sigh, Mark started towards the exit, Angie and Collins behind him.

It was 5:30 when the meeting had ended. Dinner at the Life wasn't until seven, so Mark invited Collins and Angie back to the loft.

This proved interesting, as Maureen and Joanne showed up about ten minutes after they had gotten back. Maureen, noticing Angie, instantly began interrogating her, much to Joanne's dismay.

Around 6:45 they all bustled into their coats and scarves for the walk to the Life.

The weather had decided that it was going to snow, a soppy, slushy, wet snow. The only two keeping warm were Roger and Mimi, who appeared to be trying to eat the others face, they were locked so tight in a kiss.

All were grateful when they had entered the Life. After a brief argument with the manager, ending with Angie, performing a very good and convincing lie, saying she was menstrual and hungry, and if not served soon, was liable to bite of his head, they were allowed to stay and eat. Within two minutes the waiter appeared to take every ones order.

"What would you suggest?" questioned the unsure Angie.

Then almost as if on cue, everyone shouted, "Wine and Beer!"

"Will that be all?" muttered the waiter, attempting invisibility. At the outburst in the otherwise quiet café, nearly all heads had turned in the direction of the table. That is, of course, with the exception of the manager, who was deliberately ignoring said outburst.

After Mark had ordered cheeseburgers for everyone, the waiter, still embarrassed, quickly snuck back into the kitchen area.

"Oh My God!" Mimi exclaimed seeing the time on Collins's watch. "Scratch my order for me, I gotta get to work." She kissed Roger goodbye, "See you later honey, bye guys, nice meeting you Angie," she said as she rushed out the door.

"So where does Mimi work?" Angie wondered aloud.

"The Cat Scratch Club," Roger replied.

"So she's a barmaid."

"No, she's a dancer," Roger corrected in half amusement, half annoyance.

"Oh, that's cool. Are you two married?"

"Nope," Roger replied, getting slightly more annoyed. "Where do you work?"

"I'm a college student and unemployed at the moment," Angie answered.

"What are you studying?" Collins asked, taking part in the conversation.

"My major is in teaching, but I'm taking a couple acting and dancing classes on the side."

Now Collins was thoroughly interested. "What do you want to teach?" he asked, eager to know more.

"English, I've always enjoyed the subject. What I really want to do though is perform."

The conversation was interrupted by the still embarrassed waiter.

After eating, Roger boxed Mimi's cheeseburger. Conversation had been light and about nothing in particular over dinner, as they had all been so hungry.

"Where do you live?" Collins asked Angie.

"At an apartment in Alphabet City."

"I'll walk you home," Collins offered. At this they all left the Life, the manager very pleased that nothing too dramatic had taken place.