Part 2: It's Not Real!:
The loft apartment was one big space that had been divided into a livng/kitchen area, a bathroom, and two bedrooms. This made it a bit difficult for six people to live there comfortably, but they divided each bedroom into two sections, so there was a room for the two couples and separate rooms for Benny and Collins.
Benny had come to live with his former roommates when his wife Alison had kicked him out when she found out about his affair with Mimi. He had been left with nothing, but his former friends had gladly welcomed him back because Benny is only dangerous with money. He had told them he felt really bad for what he had done and they had forgiven him. Now they were all a big, happy family-type group.
Toronto came skipping out of the room she shared with Mark singing the theme song to 'The Brady Bunch.' She was wearing black leggings that showed her white socks, black converse, a black skirt with white polka-dots, and a pink hoodie. When she noticed Collins sitting, sullen, on the couch, she walked over to him. He was staring out the dirty window.
"Gosh, we should clean more. I don't know why you all seem to like the industrial look. With six people, surely we can afford Windex." Collins said nothing. Toronto sat next to him on the ratty sofa. Toronto didn't really understand why they didn't just go to Ikea, but she didn't want to upset her new friends. After living on the street for two days after she had been evicted from her old apartment, she had met Mark at a local film festival. She told him she loved his work and they went to lunch at the Life Café. Toronto had never been there and she really liked dancing on the table. Now she and Mark went there every month for their monthly anniversaries.
"Are you okay, Collins?" she asked. He looked at her.
"I just can't believe someone would desecrate a grave like that, take the body, you know?" He was starting to choke up. "Angel never deserved that." Toronto rested her hands and chin on her friend's broad shoulders.
"It's awful what they did. I'm sorry." The teacher nodded solemnly and smiled at the blonde/brunette/redhead.
"Thanks, Tor." Someone yelled their names. "Could that be…?" Collins grinned and Toronto grinned back. They knew exactly who it was and they both raced to the window and onto the fire escape. Down below them was a moderately tall brunette grinning a toothy smile up at them. Her pale skin was offset by her cheap, crimson lipstick.
"Maureen!" They called. They waved and Collins threw his key down to her.
Maureen was a free-spirited actress who was slowly building a career. So far she was in very low- budget independent films and they were mostly Mark's, but she had a proper agent thanks to her life-partner and lawyer Joanne and was starting to get bigger roles. Last month she had been in a crowd scene for some movie kids would watch in health classes about drugs.
"You look great, Maureen!" Toronto was not uncomfortable with the fact that Maureen was Mark's ex. Toronto was Mark's girlfriend now and he no longer cared for Maureen in that way. The two women were even good friends.
"I don't feel so great," the actress complained. She plopped down into a chair and sighed with relief. "I'll be so glad when this baby is born." Collins and Toronto patted Maureen's stomach. It was very large now as she only had three months left in her pregnancy.
Joanne had always wanted children and she was not going to let the fact that she loved women stop her. So she had asked Maureen what she thought of getting a sperm donor. Maureen had been all for the idea… until she realized what Joanne was actually talking about. Then she had freaked out; Maureen wasn't the type for settling down. But she did love Joanne, even if she liked to flirt, and Joanne wanted commitment. So she sacrificed for the woman she loved. They had been married nearly eight months ago.
"Where's your better half?" laughed the likeable souse. Maureen smiled.
"She's-"
"Hey, you guys!" They heard the lovable, droll lawyer's voice. Toronto went to throw a key to her. Soon, Joanne arrived at the door to the loft. She was wheezing.
"How are you doing?" Toronto asked.
"You okay, baby?" Maureen kissed her lover's lips. Their tummies brushed together. "Not you," she laughed, patting Joanne's bulging stomach.
Joanne had wanted children but Maureen was against the idea. It was the cause of numerous fights. Later, during a particularly bad argument, Maureen had realized how much she loved Joanne and had decided to surprise her with a pregnancy. She had gone over the information for the donors that Joanne had pointed out and had chosen the one with qualities she knew her love would like in a child. Joanne would want someone… well… not like Maureen. The chosen donor was serious and studious, like Joanne.
Meanwhile, Joanne, miserable about the fight, had decided to get implanted to make Maureen consider staying with her. Without knowing it, the women had gone to the sperm bank on the same day and had chosen donors with the traits that reminded them of each other. Later on, they each put their plans in action and realized that they were both pregnant. Maureen did not dump Joanne and Joanne knew that Maureen actually loved her. Now they were both six months along.
