Chapter 4:

The medicine provided to Maureen by Dr. Livingston didn't help the diva at all. One afternoon, she could barely stand the light coming through the drapes, so she called Angel to ask her for a favor.

"Hello?" Angel chirped after a few rings.

"Angel, its Maureen."

"Hey Mo, what can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you could make some black drapes for my bedroom. I need something to block out the light. I'll pay you back for the fabric and everything," Maureen added quickly.

"Oh no, sugar, don't worry about the money, I want to help." Angel paused. "Are your headaches getting any better?"

"Kinda. I can't thank you enough for the drapes, Ang."

"No problem. Like I said, I'm glad that I can help." Maureen heard the door at Angel's apartment open. "I've got to go sweetie. I'll drop the drapes off in about a week."

"Thanks Angel. Tell Collins that I said hi."

"I will tell the girls that I send my love." Maureen smiled. "Bye."

"Bye." Maureen hung up the phone and sat up in bed. black spots disrupted her vision, but she was getting used to them now. Maureen grabbed her sunglasses and went to the bathroom to get some aspirin.

When Joanne got home from work, Maureen and Tiffany were in the family room watching TV together. Despite the fact that the shades were drown, Maureen had her sunglasses on.

"Hi Mama!" Tiffany exclaimed happily. Joanne smiled as she shed her coat.

"Hi Tiff. Do you mind going to your room so Mommy and I can talk alone?" pouting slightly, Tiffany switched off the TV and slid off the couch. "You can actually watch in our room if you want," Joanne said as Tiffany left.

"How was work Pookie?" Joanne said down on the couch next to Maureen.

"Fine. Honeybear, don't lie to me. Your headaches are getting worse aren't they?" Maureen shook her head but stopped. It hurt too much to do that.

"A little, but don't make a big deal about it. It's nothing." Joanne pulled Maureen close.

"You sure it's nothing?" Maureen nodded slightly.

"I'd tell you if it wasn't." Joanne kissed the top of Maureen's head and continued to hold her as close as possible.

Cassia watched Joanne and Maureen through her slightly cracked door. she knew that Maureen was lying. After all, she was an actress. Cassia figured that Joanne only accept Maureen's answer, because that's what she wanted to hear. Cassia quietly closed the door and looked at her homework spread out across her bed.

"What's the point?" she said aloud. "They're too busy to notice anyway." Cassia put away her uncompleted homework and called her friends to gossip with them.