This is something I really wanted to write and my best friend who is a total Renthead was all for it. It really needs no description.

The Anachronism, the Sue, and the Plot Twist

"There's only us," Paul said, "There's only this. No day but today." Everyone smiled, though some were rather teary as they listened to the Life Support group's mantra. Mark Cohen packed up his camera. It was his old camera: the one he had bought at the pawn shop all those years ago- the one with the crank. It didn't work very well anymore, not that it ever had, but he kept it for sentimental reasons and made most of his films on it. Even though he was now sort of well-to-do from his moderately successful film "Poor Picture Quality" and could afford to buy a new camera and equipment, he didn't.

"I feel really good today," said his best friend Roger. It was a good thing to hear; the rocker hadn't felt good in a long time, not since the death of his girlfriend April, who had died of AIDS and suicide after becoming violently drunk. Then Roger had met Mimi, the girl who currently sat to his left stroking his long, curly locks. She was a young Latina who had contracted AIDS and who had worked as a stripper. But she had overcome her heroin addiction thanks to Roger's love and devotion and was now going to NYU on a dance scholarship. She looked forward to being a real dancer.

To Roger's right was a man. His name was Collins and he, too had AIDS. He was a big, strong man, but he hadn't been the same since he lost the wo/man of his dreams, Angel, to the same disease. Ever since, he had laughed on the outside, but everyone could see that he still hurt, especially on Halloween and Christmas.

Mark was filming the Life Support meetings. Even though he had finished his film about AIDS and homelessness, he still liked to do it. Everyone in the group was used to him by now and he did, after all, make the best coconut macaroons.

"Mark!" someone called. The filmmaker looked up to see a woman about his age run into the room. A huge smile appeared on his face. Collins, Mimi, and Roger saw the smile and laughed, but he didn't care.

"Toronto!" he exclaimed, standing to give his girlfriend a hug. And why wouldn't he want to hug her? Why wouldn't he want to hold her forever? She was slightly shorter than him with a thin frame. Her hair was sort of blonde, but a bit brown with reddish tints and it shone in the sunlight that flitted into the tall windows of the community center. She had skin like his, but unlike him, she had dark, nearly black eyes. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. She wouldn't let him hug her, but instead gestured wildly to her Verizon wireless phone with its cutesy puppy cover. Toronto was going to school to become an elementary school teacher but in her spare time she worked as a volunteer at the animal shelter and sometimes read to senior citizens who were going blind. Mark loved that about Toronto: she was so caring and loved animals. She even took care not to step on flowers, not even dandelions.

"I got the weirdest phone call!" she exclaimed. "It was for you," she said, motioning to Collins. "They couldn't reach you so they found my number. I guess it's because we all live together." She, Mark, Roger, Mimi, Collins, and Benny lived in a loft apartment on Avenue B in Alphabet City.

"I should get a cell phone," Roger mused.

"And call who?" Mimi asked playfully, caressing her lover's stubbly cheek. Roger frowned at her.

"I'd get a phone," Collins told them, "But the only one I could afford is one of those old-fashioned ones that are the size of a Kleenex box."

"I'm fine with my phone," said Mimi, "Even though you can't pick it up and take it places. It does, however, have the latest rotary dial technology." Roger and Collins nodded, but Collins wanted to know who was calling.

"Hello?" he said into the cell phone. He walked into the hallway of the center. A few minutes later, he ran back into the room, wheezing.

"I've told you to quit smoking marijuana," Toronto told him. He glared at her.

"Angel's gone!" he said breathily. Everyone stared at him.

"What?" Mark asked.

"I thought he was dead," Toronto said.

"Yeah, Tor," Collins said, "But… someone wanted a test to be done on the bones to see if Angel had been one of their relatives, but when they went to get the body, it wasn't in the coffin!" Collins bit his lip and fell into one of the folding chairs.

Everyone puzzled at this. Angel's body was missing? Why? Who had done this? Why?

"Maybe Angel has relatives she never met," Mimi said, trying to relieve some of the tension. She rubbed Collins's shoulder. Collins nodded.

"It was a young woman named Tabitha Dumott." The bohemians didn't care, though. They were still wondering what had happened to the body of their best friend.