April Showers6

That evening

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Roger slung his arm around me as we walked quickly to keep pace with Benny. He was chattering a mile a minute to Mark about this one particular dancer. Mark ignored Benny and played with Maureen's hand. Collins had declined to come.

Hey, Benny, I finally called to him. You wanna slow down a bit? This is ridiculous.

Roger piped up. And I thought you were seeing that Alison chick, anyway.

Well, I am, Benny hedged. Maybe not totally exclusively yet. Besides, I'm not doing anything with this dancer, I don't even know her name. I just, uh, like watching her.

He stopped walking abruptly. Mark practically ran over him before realizing that the African-American man had stopped short.

What now? Maureen asked.

We're here, Benny replied excitedly, and stepped into the building. I peered up at the sign over the door. Cat Scratch Club. Never noticed it before.

Inside, the lighting wasn't so hot. The air was filled with cigarette smoke...and a few other smokes besides. Mark wrinkled his nose, but for once refrained from commenting.

I shrugged, and led the way to a small dance floor in the back. None of the dancers were performing yet, and a mingled crowd of twenty-somethings were grinding and gyrating, depending on how high they were. Smiling slightly, I threw myself into the crowd, bopping to the pulse of some unidentifiable music. Maureen joined me immediately, although she was a bit wilder than I. She quickly grabbed a random guy and pressed close to him. Mark didn't look too happy with this, but he was awkward in this environment, and didn't say anything.

Roger watched me for a few moments, then hesitantly took my hand and began dancing with me. I was surprised. He was a reasonably good dancer.

Where'd you learn to dance? I queried.

He grinned wryly. My mom forced me to take ballroom dancing when I was thirteen, he murmured. Never forgave her for that -- but every now and then, it comes in handy. I giggled.

I heard loud whistles and catcalls from elsewhere in the club. Hey, guys! Benny called to Roger and Mark. They're here!

A trio of young women made their way out. I couldn't really see them, but I could figure out what they were wearing. Not much.

Most of the other girls in the club were making their way to the opposite side, where a trio of male dancers were emerging. I glanced over at the female dancers again. One of them, Benny's favorite, was doing an elaborate dance that involved a lawn chair and handcuffs. Benny grinned, pointing to her.

Best ass below 14th street, he stage whispered. And that includes Alison.

Roger gave her an appraising look. I slapped his arm lightly, and he turned back to me, eyes wide. he asked innocently.

Time to go, I replied, smiling.

He shrugged. Just as well, this isn't exactly my kind of club. Besides, he lowered his voice, it's about time for another fix. I agreed, and we pushed our way to the door.

Outside, Mark was leaning against the building distractedly.

Roger said curiously. I didn't see you leave.

He shrugged listlessly, still staring straight ahead. You're not the only one, he answered in a monotone.

So come on home, Roger urged, but his attention span was wavering. Mark noticed it too, and scowled.

he muttered, after glancing at Roger. You two have fun.

I bit my lip. Things had never really improved between me and the filmmaker. Quietly, I led Roger away down the block. He didn't look back, and Mark didn't watch us go.

Back in the loft, Roger headed to the bathroom to find his stash. I took off my jacket and tossed it lightly over the couch, then began to slowly unbutton my shirt. The phone rang. With an exasperated sigh, I picked it up.



It was Leila's voice.

Yeah, it's me. What's up?

Casey went to the doctor, like I told her to, Leila told me shakily. I realized that the whole incident had happened only this morning.

That was quick. Anything wrong with her? I asked impatiently. Roger had emerged from the bathroom, and I ached to join him on the bed.

Leila's voice caught. She inhaled slowly, then exhaled. They took one look at her and told her she had Kaposi's sarcoma.

I raised an eyebrow. In plain English?

Leila blurted out. It's one of the key signs of AIDS. She's been HIV positive for a while now, they said, only she never knew. Now she's got AIDS. Shit, April, her voice rose, we've all got to get tested!

Calm down, I said, although my heart was racing. Look, we haven't been sleeping with her, right? And I don't recall ever fucking any of her ex-boyfriends. So we're fine.

How naive are you, April? she whispered. Needles. We've been sharing needles. You can get it through needles.

Time stopped. You sure? I asked. My voice was dead.

Pretty sure, yeah, she replied softly.

But wouldn't we know? I asked, not quite desperately. Wouldn't it show?

Not for years, sometimes, Leila responded faintly. That's what happened to Casey. It was a couple of years ago, and she just found out now.

I bit my lip. I said. Okay. I guess we'd better get tested, then. I hung the phone up gently, and stared at it for a few long moments.

Roger poked his head out of the bedroom. What's wrong? he asked. You coming?

I said. Just gimme a few seconds. He nodded, and retreated.

I closed my eyes. Inhale. Exhale. Good girl. Then I finished unbuttoning my blouse, and joined him in the bedroom.

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only two left to go....whew! reviews are always, always welcomed.