(A/N: Right I want to apologise now. This TV interview I have set for Amy with an audience is on the Today Show. I live in England and so have no clue what the format for The Today Show is so I had to sort of make it up! I'm gathering it is the UK equivilant of GMTV if you know British Television. So if I'm totally off from the real format just remember it is just a story!! lol So I hope you enjoy I really took my time writing this which is why I've been away for a while. I wanted to get this chapter as powerful as possible. TKAMB aka Becky)
Chapter 12:
DECEMBER 1ST 2001
Amy stood backstage in a TV studio for The Today Show with butterflies flowing through her stomach. As she stood waiting for her cue she fiddled with her nail and her outfit. She was a lot stronger now having been to rehab to learn to walk again after the damage caused to her back. The press had continued to believe that being in rehab meant she had an eating disorder. "You ok honey?" Roger asked coming to her side. All of the gang and her friends from school were in the audience out front. Roger was meant to be with them but he had snuck back stage to see her
"Yeah I ... I'm just a little nervous. I've done interviews but nothing like this you know?" Roger took her hands in his forcing her to face him
"Just be honest, that is all you can be. You're here to set the record straight and if you need to let something out then let it out! I have to get back to my seat but we are all right out there so you're not alone" Amy nodded and Roger pulled her into a warm embrace. "I love you kiddo"
"Love you to daddy" Roger headed back to his seat leaving a nervous Amy behind. Hearing the crowd cheer she took a deep breath
"Hi everyone I'm Sarah Cole and welcome to this special edition of The Today Show. Now today is December 1st 2001, a seemingly normal day but it is also one where the world raises money for the millions of people suffering from HIV and AIDS to try and find a cure and help those who are in need. This disease was one which twenty years ago you couldn't escape from reading about everyday in the papers or see every day on TV, nowadays however it would seem it has fallen out of the public's consciousness. Ten years ago a custody battle over a little girl with HIV brought the disease back to the people of New York. The little girl was Amy Rose Davis who for the past ten years has grown up in the public eye along with her father songwriter Roger Davis. Two months ago their situation changed. Here for an exclusive interview which everyone has been anticipating please welcome Miss. Amy – Rose Davis" Everyone stood up and applauded as she gingerly walked out onto the stage. Amy waved and gave Sarah a hug before they sat on two chairs provided. The crowd stopped applauding and sat back down
"Can I just say right away I am shaking like mad right now! I talk at like five hundred miles an hour when I get nervous so I'm apologising for that right away" Amy giggled making the audience laugh softly also. It somehow calmed her nerves to do so
"Thank you for joining us today Amy"
"It's my pleasure really"
"Now I just want to say to start off saying a big congratulation for your academic achievements. In case you're not aware viewers Amy achieved her high school diploma at the age of six and now at fifteen she is studying a degree in English Literature and Drama" Amy blushed as the audience applauded once more
"Thank you, it was really my father that got me to this point. He taught me everything I know about everything really! Due to the disease we have he always made me live each day as if it were my last
and I think that drive has been what has made me through a lot of things in my life and got me to where I am today"
"As you just said you share a disease which up until two years ago was HIV in both circumstances?" Sarah asked
"Yes, my father contracted it from an old partner who is no longer with us while I was born with it having contracted it from my mother who also is no longer with us. Two years ago my father's health took a turn and we found out he has AIDS. It was hard to deal with at first but now it is just one of those aspects of life you learn to live with" she explained and she felt tears fill her eyes
"So what happened to you a couple of months ago as it is very relevant to the subject in this special"
"Two months ago I was alone at home and my neck was hurting so I rubbed it and when I looked at my hand it was covered in blood ... um –" Amy lowered her head as Sarah rested her hands on Amy's
"Do you need a minute?" Sarah asked
"No I'm ok" Amy said lifting her head up and a tear fell from her eyes. "Um ... it turned out there was a bunch of legions on my back and neck which are clear indications of AIDS. The legions which had split had become infected and the infection nearly killed me ... My father was stuck in Chicago and I had 24 hours to live. One of my worst habits is that I'm so stubborn but at least on that occasion it is what saved me ... I wanted to see my father so much it kept me going and I somehow managed to survive it all but I have now been officially diagnosed with AIDS" Amy explained and Sarah let go of Amy's hands to pass her a box of tissues
"So these rumours created in the papers about you having an eating disorder were totally wrong?" Sarah clarified
"Oh yeah, if anyone knows me they'll tell you all I eat on campus are the pizza and chips compo which are gorgeous! Keep me away from any ice cream parlour or I may never come out" Amy giggled as she dried her cheeks
"Can I ask; what was the rehabilitation for?" Sarah asked confused
"Due to the infection I was so weakened I couldn't sit up unaided, or dress myself, I couldn't even walk. So when the infection had been tackled by the amazing staff at the New York General Hospital I needed time to learn to do those things again. So since Halloween I've been doing that and today will actually be my return home so I'm really happy and excited to see my bedroom again! I really miss also hearing the answer phone machine because we always screen our calls! It's the little things that I miss so much and I can't wait to experience them again"
"How did you feel when you were told that you had AIDS?" Sarah asked
"When you are told things that change your life in such a big way you go through these spells of change in your head and in your heart also ... it's really hard to explain because you get hit by ten tonnes of emotion. For some reason I felt only one clear emotion and that was pure relief ... The reason for such is that I have lived my entire life on the borderline. The best way for me to describe it is that I want you to imagine a barrel in the middle of the shark infested ocean. On top of the barrel is a thick plank of wood and top of that is me. I could go either way and I have spent my whole life trying to balance myself and wait for the day in which I will topple over. I've waited fifteen years to know where I stand ... I'm standing in a bad spot but at least I know I'm here now" she explained through tears
"Ok I want to have a chat to your dad for a bit so everyone please welcome Roger Davis" the audience applauded and Roger walked down from his audience chair to the stage. He gave Sarah a hug before giving Amy a fierce embrace. The two Davis's sat side by side with Roger's right arm around Amy's shoulders. "Thank you so much for being here Roger. How did it feel when you found out about Amy's health become worse?"
"It's your worst possible nightmare becoming reality and duplicated a hundred times over. It gets you re-assessing your life and as a parent it makes you feel completely useless and full of emotion beyond belief. As a person you feel so much love and loyalty at the exact same time that all you can think about is being there for her and being as good a person as possible. She has achieved so much that I'm so proud of her and I hope we are able to achieve more things together for however long we have" Roger explained as best he could. Amy had now recovered from crying and sat in silence
"So in relation to the amount of time you have and the disease can you give us any statistics about it?" Sarah asked
"Yeah um on average a person can survive around five years with AIDS. So to put that in the aspect of our situation with myself living with it for two years it may be possible I might not see Amy's 18th birthday ... She may not see her 21st which really terrifies me as I want her to be able to do anything she can ... I can't believe I'm going to admit this on TV but in a couple of weeks I turn 40 and if I reach it I would have made a milestone for myself in general with what I've had to go through in my personal life. But of course there are suffers who beat the average. Our friend Tom Collins has reached his tenth year of having this disease and is still with us it's a miracle that we treasure every day. Our friends are our family and no disease or flaws in our family are going to change how we feel about each other. It is really strange living with a disease because you come to accept so many things like death and think about them constantly but then you think why on earth am I think this? And it really changes the prospective of your life once more"
"Now with the change of your condition how has that affected things such as your medication, your energy and such Amy?"
"Well my medication has changed drastically. The amount of pills I take has tripled. I have pills to beat the disease, ones to increase my immune system and ones to keep my energy up. I've always had problems with medication; my stomach hates all of them so I have pills to keep my stomach settled, ones to keep me awake during the day, ones to send me to sleep at night also. I'm on a special diet to make sure I get the right nutrients to keep me going but I've found my hair has started to fall out as the roots have been weakened from everything I'm going through so I have more pills to keep my hair! I must have around 20 pills a day to make me reach some kind of 'normality' but I quite like being unique in a sense" Amy smiled making everyone in the room smile also
"Do you find it harder dealing with issues with the press constantly hounding you?"
"Yeah very much so. It is very tough to just grow up around them but I have an opportunity doing so. I know millions of people will be watching this now because they wanted to hear me talk about and reveal my eating disorder which doesn't exist. If I can give people an idea what this disease is like and raise some money to help those who need it then this interview would have fore filled its purpose. Any money I or my father gets from photo shoots or interviews like this one we give away to charities we are associated with because we don't need that money. My father's work has provided well earned money which can keep us and all our friends and their families afloat for the rest of our lives. I don't need the thousands of dollars we get thrown at us to grace the covers of magazines while someone else does. One dollar can save a child with this disease in Africa by giving them medication. Thirty dollars can feed that child three times a day for a month. I won't stand by and keep all that money when I don't want or need it because all those starving children would haunt me and so we dedicate our lives to helping those who share our disease that can't ask for help but desperately need it. That is why I hope everyone who watches this today will give what they can to World's Aids Day charities to save some of those children" the audience and Roger applauded her making Amy blush
"So everything as I understand is going really well for you at school. As I understand it you have written, produced, choreographed and casted a musical version of your father's life. On top of that you are doing really well in your subjects and you're top of your class in all. I wish I was that smart at fifteen!" Amy giggled
"Thank you things at school are great and I know I couldn't do it without my friends all of who are here today. They really are great because they put up with me. When I'm feeling low they pick me right up again, they bring me things for my school work and they support me through everything. It is a bit odd when I have to direct them on aspects of the play we are in but they somehow put up with me. I think perhaps sometimes it's so they can get some great lines or the better costumes!" everyone in the room laughed
"That must be a great comfort to you Roger, her having a group of friends who are there for her" Sarah asked
"Oh defiantly, when she had her turn a couple of months ago she was with her friend Nicholas at the time. I hate to think what would have happened if she was alone but thankfully I don't have to worry about her being alone in the future when she is at school"
"Or your boyfriend I presume?" Sarah asked and Amy felt Roger squeeze her hand
"Actually I don't have a boyfriend, no my heart belongs to my daddy!" she explained cocking her head in Roger's direction
"I thought you did have a boyfriend called Anthony?" Sarah prompted
"The word 'did' is very prominent. There wasn't much of a relationship to make it a romantic relationship. We've parted ways now and that's that" she explained trying not to reveal too much
"I'm sorry to hear that. Now going back to the musical your friends and yourself are here to perform a number from it. Roger what do you and your friends make of becoming subjects of a musical?"
"Strange and scary but we are all really excited. This will actually be the first time I've heard anything from it as Amy here won't let me hear any of it until opening night in May. I've heard a few of other songs she has written in the past and thought they were great so I have total faith in her project"
"So what is this song called? What is it about?"
"Well this is the song that opens the second act and is called 'Seasons of love' and it asks the question how do you measure a year in the life of friends? The answer I believe is love and so this song is about answering the questions. It has two great solos by Jane Simmons who plays Joanne Jefferson and Carlton Smith who plays Tom Collins. I'm not in the play at all but I'm going to sing along as part of the company as well today so this will be a first for us all" Amy explained
"Ok then everyone welcome to the stage possible future Broadway stars in the making Jane Simmons, Annabelle Johnson, Rose Parker, Tim Richards, Nicholas Dolton, Carlton Smith, Sampson Regent, and Marco Fuller otherwise known as the principal cast from NYU production of RENT" Sarah announced and the group came to the stage. Amy stood up and stood in front of one of the nine microphone stands that were lined up on the stage, each of the group standing behind one of the stands. Amy smiled to all of them who all smiled back reassuring her that she had done the right thing by doing the interview. The music began and they all faced forward. Amy saw Mark, Maureen, Joanne and Tom in the audience all with tears in their eyes having watched the interview and smiling broadly at her. She listened to the music and all of the group took a breath and so began to sing
COMPANY
525,600 minutes,
525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets,
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles,
In laughter, in strife
In 525,600 minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
(The group looked towards Jane and hummed along with the melody)
JANE
525,600 minutes!
525,000 journeys to plan
525,600 minutes
How can you measure the life of a woman or man?
(The group looked towards Carlton and hummed along with the melody)
CARLTON
In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died
(The group faced front and began to clap)
COMPANY
it's time now to sing out,
tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends.
Remember the love!
(The audience began to stand and clap along with the song making Amy smile broadly)
JANE
Oh, you've got to; you've got to remember the love
COMPANY
Remember the love!
JANE
You know that love is a gift from up above
COMPANY
Remember the love!
JANE
Share love, give love, spread love
(The group stopped clapping making the audience stop but they remained standing)
COMPANY
Measure in love
JANE
Measure, measure your life in love
(Hitting the high note on the word 'love' the audience began to cheer)
COMPANY
Seasons of love!
JANE
Measure your life, Measure your life in love
COMPANY
Seasons of love
Everyone was cheering and applauding as the group bowed. They stood in their line, arms linked behind their backs and smiling broadly. They were joined by Roger and Sarah. As Amy was at one end of the line he was able to put his arm around her and kiss her forehead
"That was amazing well done Amy. We want to thank Amy, Roger and the principal cast of RENT as well as thank you all for tuning in. As Amy said one dollar can save a life. If you have a dollar or more to spare and want to give it to World's Aids Day there is information on your screens on how to donate money. There are places throughout New York and around the world where you can go and donate also such as various super markets and town centres. So thank you once more and please give applause for Amy, Roger and the principal cast" Sarah said but she had to nearly yell to be heard over the cheers. There was so much cheering that none heard the music of the show going to break
"We're clear!" a crew member said and the audience finally settled back down. The gang on stage headed back stage and instantly hugged each other
"I can't believe we just did that on national TV!" Jane said jumping up and down
"It was amazing guys you did so well" Roger commented before pulling Amy into a quick hug. Roger watched her be hugged by her friends and was glad she had them just as he had Joanne, Maureen Mark and Tom
"So I did the right thing?" Amy asked Nicholas
"More than right, the best thing to do" he reassured her and she pulled him into a hug
"I need to ask something of you later ... alone" she whispered in his ear and felt him nod against her shoulder. They were soon joined by Mark, Joanne, Maureen and Tom but Nicholas didn't notice just focused on the words Amy had just whispered in his ear
"Daddy relax we'll be like twenty minutes! I just need to get this stuff sorted for an assignment" Amy tried to reassure Roger as the van full of both groups of adults and students driven by Roger pulled up outside of the campus
"Do you have to now?" he asked
"Yes! I told Mr. Larson that I would talk to him at lunch which is now! I'll be a half hour tops. You go home me and Nicholas will join you guys later. Besides it'll give you time to sort out my surprise coming home party"
"What party?" Roger asked smiling softly
"The one you are going to have to throw since I suggested it! Look I need Nicholas's help since he was the one who was carrying my work back and forth between Mr. Larson and me so he has my back up documents. I won't be all alone I'll be fine" she assured him climbing out of the van followed by Nicholas
"Yeah lighten up Mr. D, besides I have more reason to be worried then you he is my boyfriend" Rose said making Nicholas smile
"Nice to know you trust my honey"
"You're welcome sweetie"
"You don't want me to fail now do you daddy?" Amy asked using her cheap manipulation trick of making her eyes big and stuck out her bottom lip
"Ok go, see you about an hour then back at the loft" Amy smiled broadly and shut the van door. The pair headed to main building as the van drove away
"Does your dad have any idea that Mr. Larson is in fact my teacher?"
"Well did he react to it?"
"So what are we doing exactly?" Nicholas asked
"You are very inquisitive today! Grab your camera and meet me in Mr. Larson's room where we had that photo shoot" Nicholas nodded and headed for the dorm rooms. On entering the room in question he saw that Amy had closed the blinds over the windows and the one on the door and taken off her jacket. She was sat on a stool watching him intensively. "Can you lock the door?" Nicholas did as he was told and set up the camera
"So what do you want exactly?" he asked taking off his jacket
"Today has got me thinking of the opportunities I have left and the short time I have. I need you to take a picture of me" she took off her top and threw it to one side making him raise his right eyebrow
"What are you doing?" she turned on the stool so that her back was to the camera and she took off her bra throwing it across the room also. He looked at the legions on her back and was reminded of that day, the one that haunted his dreams. She turned her head to face him and tears fell from her eyes
"I need this for me so I can remember this period of my life and smile. A picture that sums me up and will keep me fighting" she explained softly and he nodded. For the next twenty minutes he photographed her crying with her back to him displaying her disease in its most physical of forms. When they were done he stood outside the room waiting leant up against the wall opposite the door waiting for her while she got dressed. It wasn't long before Amy joined him in the corridor leaning up against the room and silence fell over them
"You are the only person I know who has too much shit thrown at them to deserve it. You don't deserve it at all" he said softly making her smile
"You are the only person I know who has ever said that to me. You truly are a good friend Nicholas, only a good friend would tell the truth to your face ... come on let's go home and please don't tell anyone about this. I just need this for me"
"You got it" and so they headed for the loft, the entire journey in silence