AN: Update! It's kinda short and unexciting, but I hope you like it! Please review/critique! Feedback greatly appreciated.
Maureen was taken to the OR, and nobody would tell us what was happening, what had happened. As they rushed her along the hallway, I heard them throwing around fancy medical words, and they might as well have been speaking Greek for how well I understood them. They were too busy to even notice me following them, asking what was happening. They soon disappeared into the elevator, and I collapsed on the floor, sobbing and frantic. I heard rich Hispanic voice, felt hands pulling me up off of the floor, and looked up to see the same nurse as before, Angel. She was a well-built woman, not like Mimi and Maureen's small, frail, feminine stature, but strong, big-boned, though without an ounce of fat on her body. She had dark bronze skin, long dark hair that fell in loose curls, and wore metallic blue nail polish that went surprisingly well with her scrubs. I thanked her for helping me.

"What happened? Was it your friend?"

"Yeah…we don't know what happened…she was fine one second, and the next she was unconscious. They won't tell us what's going on…" She nodded sympathetically and told me that she was going to find out what she could and get back to me, telling me to go to the waiting area. I rounded up Roger and Mimi, and we went to sit in the uncomfortable plastic chairs. I couldn't stop fidgeting, so eventually I got up and made my way over to the payphone again, calling Joanne's cell, again.

"Hello?"

"Hey Joanne…her vitals just crashed and they took her into the OR. They haven't told us what's going on yet."

"I'm getting on a flight in about an hour. It was really last minute and the only thing that I could get…I should be at the hospital in about four and half hours. If anything happens, call me. Even if you have to leave a message." I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Joanne was coming, and that she seemed truly concerned—Maureen really needed her now more than ever, and I truly believed that.

"Hey…Mark? That's your name, right?" I turned around to see Angel standing before me again.

"Is she okay?" She sighed.

"These crazy doctors are so worried about their big money and fancy equipment…they accidentally damaged her larynx and an artery in the process of pumping her stomach. I don't know how it happened—to me, I think it would take a lot of effort to do that, but she should be okay, they stopped the internal bleeding. She may not be able to talk well, at least for a while." My heart sank for Maureen. Singing was her life—what would she do now? She had to be able to talk and scream and shout and sing and protest loudly—that was who she was! Or at least, that was who she used to be…maybe now it won't matter as much? I hope. The last thing she needs is for what she loves to be taken away from her…hopefully Joanne will be there to comfort her… "You okay honey?"

"Yeah. It's just…I don't know how Maureen's gonna feel about this."

"She's the performance artist, right? Dressed up like a groundhog for groundbreaking? I thought that was adorable. I have to say my favorite was the one with the cow." I blushed for some unknown reason.

"Yep, that's her. She sort of…depends on her voice. Or…she used to."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well…recently…she was raped. And her girlfriend thought she cheated…and it was a big mess. She sort of…retreated into her own head after that. Then obviously she tried to kill herself…I wish I could get into her head." Angel rubbed my shoulder.

"Well, honey, she's lucky to have someone who cares about her as much as you do." I sighed and nodded.

"When will she be out?"

"Here. I'll take you to her." I quickly grabbed Roger and Mimi from where they were dozing off on each other, and we went to go see her.