Two Words, One Touch
Joanne sat on the edge of her girlfriend's bed, one hand tangled in Maureen's hair. She glanced down at Maureen's closed eyes, and remembered…
Sometimes two simple words can change the world. Maureen hadn't tried to soften the blow, she'd just walked into the apartment they shared and said, "I'm dying." Joanne spun her chair away from her desk
"What?" she said, irritated at the disturbance. Then she saw the fresh tear tracks on Maureen's face. Maureen held out a piece of paper, and Joanne took it, still not entirely sure what was going on. She started to read, but Maureen broke in impatiently.
"I've got AIDS." Joanne stared at her girlfriend in shock for a few seconds, then moved over to her, wrapping her arms tightly around her. Maureen broke down, sobbing and clinging to Joanne.
Collins stood in the doorway of Maureen's hospital room, watching Joanne staring at her dead girlfriend's face. He considered talking to her, trying to comfort her, but decided against it. Not yet, he told himself. Give her time. She'll face everyone else when she's ready.
Maybe it was because Maureen was so small, Joanne thought, or maybe because she had to be reminded to eat, maybe because she'd been so afraid of her sickness, but the drama queen's health had taken a nosedive very soon after she contracted the disease. She'd been hospitalised within a few months, around the same time Mimi was. Mimi had pulled herself back from the edge again though. She'd left with Roger, walking right past the door of the room where Joanne had sat, holding Maureen's hand and wondering how everything had fallen apart so quickly.
Mark had come in with his camera one day, hoping that the opportunity to perform, if only for Mark, would give Maureen some of her old energy back. He couldn't conceal his fear for her though, and he didn't stay long.
Collins went back to the waiting room, where Mark, Roger and Mimi were sitting. Mark got up as he came in, and Roger lifted his head. Collins sighed.
"She's gone," he said quietly. Mark sat down again His head dropped into his hands, and he started to cry softly. Roger stared at the floor, and Mimi swore and angrily dashed at her own tears.
Maureen had been scared of death. She'd held Joanne's hand so tightly her nails had drawn blood, and cried, and whispered, "I don't wanna die, please Pookie, don't let me die…" Joanne didn't remember ever feeling so utterly, completely helpless. All she could do was stroke Maureen's hair, and dry her tears, and try to comfort her until she fell asleep. Only when Maureen was asleep and oblivious did Joanne let herself cry into her lover's pillow.
Joanne looked up to see that Collins had returned to the doorway. Silently, he went over to her and gently disentangled her fingers from Maureen's hair.
"Ready?" he said softly. Joanne nodded. She bent to kiss Maureen one last time then followed Collins out. All eyes turned towards her as soon as she entered the waiting room. She met Mark's red, tear-filled eyes and felt her own eyes tear up, felt herself losing control. She choked back a sob, trying not to collapse completely. Collins gazed at her, then put a gentle, comforting hand on her shoulder. Joanne took a deep breath and placed a shaking hand over Collins'.
Sometimes, one simple touch can mean the world.