Saving Grace
A/N: Okay, I'm sort of winging it here. I can't find my notebook. It's still in one of the numerous boxes that still have not been unpacked. So, I'm writing from memory. Hope you like it. Please read and review.
-Med.
Disclaimer: Don't own Rent, never will.
Chapter Three
Maggy had done the unthinkable. She had let Angel go on her way and went to pick up her test results on her own. Angel had insisted, but the friend that she had run into was insistent that they simply had to catch up, so Maggy assured Angel she would be all right. Her hands were shaking badly, but she couldn't manage to open the plain paper in the clinic or certainly not in public. She had told Angel that she was going to be all right. That had been a lie, she wasn't.
Maggy huddled in her seat and tried to make herself as unobtrusive as possible. The coughing didn't help, and she was quite certain this was how Lepers had been treated in olden days. She was shaking visibly by the time that she made it to her stop, but she was still able to make it to her apartment without completely losing it. She curled up on her bed and carefully unfolded her latest test results.
"Damn it!" Even though she had been expecting it, she could still feel the tears cascading down her cheeks. She was DYING, and there was nothing that she could do to deny it any longer. She crumpled up the cursed paper and flung it across the room. She wanted to just curl up in bed, but what would that accomplish? She dragged herself off of her bed and into the kitchen. As much as it scared her she had to call her sister, Angie.
With shaking fingers Maggy managed to dial her sister's number and waited for three rings before she picked up. "Angie, it's Maggy..."
There was a quick intake of breath on the other end of the phone line. "Oh my God, Maggy! I haven't heard from you in months!"
Maggy sighed. "I know, and I'm so sorry, Angie. Are Mom and Dad home?"
"No."
"Good. You might want to find some place to sit. I have got to be honest with you because I don't have much time left."
Angie made a choking noise. "Maggy, why would you say something like that?" She was horrified.
"Because it's the truth, Ange. I made some really poor choices when I moved here. It's caught up with me. I have AIDS, Angie, and I wanted to call you one last time while I still could."
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few minutes. Then the sound of someone sliding down the wall and landing on the floor. Finally, Angie spoke. "Sorry, I didn't listen to your first command. Damn it, Maggy, how could you? I know Mom and Dad suck, but what about me?"
Maggy sighed and sat against the counter, because the cord on the phone wouldn't allow her to go any further. "Too many parties and stupid mistakes. I think that I thought because I was a college student I wouldn't be at risk. I was wrong. I am so sorry, you're the last person in the world that I wanted to fuck over."
"Well you did, and it hurts, Maggy, but you are my sister. I am flying out there. I'm bringing Mom and Dad too. You need to tell them, because they are still your parents."
Maggy shuddered. "I wish you wouldn't but I can understand. Let me know when you can get in. I miss you, Angie, and I love you."
"I'll call you soon, All right? Have a good night. I love you, Maggy."
Maggy managed to hang up the phone, but she leaned against the counter and cried. Angel came in a few minutes later and hugged her close. She had come in when Maggy hadn't heard her knock.
"Easy, Honey. What's the matter?"
Maggy sniffled. "I just called my sister. The test results are no good, Angel, and I feel horrible. She says she's coming out and bringing my parents..."
Angel dried her eyes. "At least you even get that chance, Maggy. Many people don't these days. Come on. We're going to The Life Cafe. I want you to meet Mimi."
Maggy shook her head. "I'm not good company, Angel. I think I'll stay home and lay down. I don't feel well."
Angel put her arm around Maggy's shoulders. "You're coming, because you need to get out of the house. You've been wallowing."
Maggy reluctantly agreed; Angel was probably right. Being around other people was probably all she needed. The emotion was going to her head.
"Okay, but not too late, all right?"
Maggy was quiet as they made their way to the Life Cafe. She was not feeling well, but she was determined to stick it out for Angel's benefit. They were seated at a small table. A pretty Latina who couldn't be older than Angie joined them.
"Hi, I'm Mimi. You must be, Maggy."
"I am," Maggy said coming out of her haze. "It's good to meet you, Mimi. Now, if you'll excuse me. Feel free to order, Angel."
Maggy pushed her chair back and made a dash for the toilets. It was humiliating being sick, but at least she made it. After she rinsed her mouth and contemplated what to do next Angel and Mimi rushed into the bathroom.
"Are you all right, Sugar?" Angel asked.
Maggy just stared for a moment before she stumbled forward. Mimi grabbed her before she fell.
"Angel, she's burning up."
Angel rushed over just as Maggy's world went black and she slumped against Mimi.
