New characters folks! I own them, but not Angel and Collins. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to the real Peter, my first experience with homosexuality. I blame you for turning me into a fag hag J
Blue Eyed Miracle
The days dragged for Angel and Collins. Angel's health went in unpredictable patterns. He'd be strong for a week and then slip back to illness. He hated the hospital and it seemed that the hospital hated him. The staff never smiled and even the machinery made frightening shadows at night. Thank God the doctors had allowed Collins to sleep near him at night.
And thank God also, for Lily's letters. They kept him going. That was the highlight of life in this horrible place. Collins had begun writing replies describing his reactions. He would say things like, "When you said this it made Angel laugh. He hasn't laughed in a week," or, "Angel thinks you should do this, this and this to fix that problem." Lily liked the replies as much as Angel liked the letters. Collins was just about to read him the most recent arrival.
"Wow, this is a long one," Angel grinned eagerly.
"Something must be up," agreed Collins. "Okay, here we go.
August 12, 1997
Dear Angel,
Today was truly the best I've had in months. Wanna know why? I met someone!! Yes, it's true. But let me break down the details for you.
"It happened today at lunch. Now, I've already told you how much I hate lunch. So I was sitting in the cafeteria, by myself as usual, when I looked on the line and I saw this new girl. She was dressed in black like me and, Angel; she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen!!!!! She had short wavy jet black hair, kind of like that wig you were wearing when you picked me up that time. And her skin was really white and perfect, not a pimple to be found. And her eyes, oh Angel. They were huge and a darker shade of blue. Oh, God, Angel, this girl had me strung out!
"So, anyway, she got off the line and was trying to find a seat. Naturally, all those snobs would give her was the evil eye or the cold shoulder. So then I thought, Now's my chance! And I stood up and called:
'Hey, new girl! You can sit with me if you want!'
She turned and smiled real wide and, Angel, my throat totally closed up.
As she started walking over some idiot goes:
'Careful, new girl, Tiger Lezzy might hit on ya!'
And she turns around, puts down her tray and punches the kid in the jaw!!! Can you believe that? Someone was actually sticking up for me! And I didn't even know them!
"Then, quite calmly, she picks the tray back up and walks over.
'Hi,' she says, sitting down.
I was still stunned so it took me a minute to answer. Finally, I stuttered:
'That was really nice of you!'
I could've killed myself for sounding so lame. But amazingly she didn't seem to mind.
'No big,' she smiled. 'You're the one letting me sit. What's your name?'
'Tiger Lily. You?'
'Juliet Sanchez.'
'Well, nice to meet you, Juliet. Anyway, why'd you stand up for me? I'm kinda the school freak show.'
'Why is that?'
I felt kinda weird saying it, but it felt good coming out on perpose.
'I really am a lesbian.'
Juliet took a bite of her barely defrosted hamburger.
'So what? So am I.'
"I choked on a sip of my Dr Pepper.
'You're joking!! No wonder you got so pissed.'
She nodded.
'I guess you could say I'm a gay rights activist. My parents are a homosexual couple. Kids have given me a lot of grief over it. Now, I've discovered my own sexual tastes and I've lost the few friends I have.'
'Well, at least your parents are excepting. I had to run away after I discovered myself. But my parents found me and dragged me back.'
'Where'd you go?' She seemed really interested, so I told her all about what happened with you and me. After I finished, I was crying and there were tears in her eyes.
'Would you go out with me?' she asked suddenly, looking into my eyes.
It was so quick. I wanted to, I really wanted to. I had this feeling about her, ya know? It's like in movies when the say that someone is The One. We just knew that we were in love, just like that! Finally, my throat became unstuck and I blurted out:
'Would you be my girlfriend?'
And she leaned across the table and we kissed. Really kissed. Of course, everyone in the cafeteria was watching, so this was greeted with lots of whispering and 'Oh, my Gods'. But we didn't care. Angel, I'd never felt so alive and so happy. Oh, God it was like nothing I'd ever experienced before.
"So, now I'm in love. Who'd have thought it would happen so fast? I'm going to her house next week to meet her parents. I'm real nervous. What if they don't like me? I wish you were here to help me. Oh, Angel, I miss you and Collins so much. I promise I'll come see you soon. I'll see if Juliet can't come too. She says you're in her prayers. And, of course, you're in mine too. I love you forever. Tiger Lily."
The lovers stared at each other for a moment, stunned. The grin on Angel's face got wider and he let out a squeal of pure pleasure.
"I can't believe this!! Collins, she's in love!"
"Her parents are going to totally crack!" Collins slapped his knee. "Oh, man, this is so great."
Angel leaned back on his uncomfortable rubbery pillows and smiled.
"Thank you, God," he whispered. "Thank you so much."
*******************************
Lily and Juliet stood outside the Sanchez house. Lily had seen this same scenario in a bunch of comedies. She would go in, the parents would hate her with a passion, and chaos would ensue.
"I'm nervous," she whispered.
"Don't worry, they'll love you."
The people in the comedies always said that too.
She opened the door and they made their way in.
"That you, levanto?"
"Si, Padre."
"You call your dads different things?" Lily asked.
"Well one of them is Cuban so I call him padre. The other one is just Dad. I do it so they know which one I'm talking to."
"Is that your new girlfriend with you?" Padre called.
"Yeah, get Dad and come meet her."
She led Lily into the living room and lounged on the white couch.
"Beautiful place," she said, looking around.
"Thanks. Dad decorated it all by himself."
"What do your parents do?"
"Padre is a lawyer and Dad paints. Maybe he'll give you a sneak peek of his new project."
"I'd love that."
A thin wiry man with sandy blonde hair sauntered in.
"Hi!" he said in a lilting voice. "You must be Lily."
He pumped her arm enthusiastically.
"Lily," Juliet smiled. "Meet dad number one. Daddy, this is Lily."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Sanchez. Oh, do you prefer Mr. or Mrs.?"
He laughed.
"'Mr.' usually, but you can just call me Peter."
"Okay."
A brawny man walked in and Lily received another handshake.
"Lily, great to finally meet you. Michael Sanchez."
"And dad number two," Juliet said. "Padre, this is my girlfriend Lily."
Every time Juliet referred to her as her girlfriend, Lily felt amazingly lucky. She knew this was destiny.
"Sit," Peter told her. She did as she was told.
"Levanto," Michael smiled, "go get the cake your dad's hiding in the refrigerator."
Peter smacked him lightly on the shoulder.
"That's for your birthday tomorrow!"
"Well, I'd like to stay thirty. Maybe if we don't have the cake I won't age."
Everyone laughed.
"Besides, this is a celebration."
Peter nodded.
"Here, here!"
Juliet got up and went to get the cake. When she came back Michael cut it and everyone applauded.
"Happy birthday, sir," smiled Lily.
"Thank you very much, Lily and it's Michael."
"Michael."
They each took a slice of cake.
"Daddy, I was wondering if we could show Lily your new painting."
"Oh, I'm sure she wouldn't want to see that," he said modestly.
"No, I love art," she contradicted. "Let me see it, please."
"All right. After we're finished here I'll show it to you."
The girls finished quickly and Peter led them down to his study in the basement. He walked over to an easel with a white sheet over it. With one fluent movement he unveiled it. Lily immediately loved the painting, but took a minute to examine it closely.
It was a picture of a young woman sitting at a table, her face buried in her folded arms. On the table was a blood smeared needle, a condom and a vase filled with wilting red roses. Tied around both the woman's neck and the neck of the vase were red ribbons.
Lily knew what the message in the painting was.
"What do you think?" Peter asked.
"I love it," she said honestly. "Hits kinda close to home."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, honey." Peter's face fell. "Who do you know that's sick?"
"My cousin has PCP."
Juliet's already pale face suddenly became paler.
"Jesus Christ almighty, Lily, I'm so sorry!" she cried. "I totally forgot about that. I didn't mean-"
"Don't you dare apologize, Juliet." She cut her off. "I needed to see this. It really helps. Thanks."
She embraced her and Juliet breathed a sigh of relief.
"You know I'd never try to hurt you, don't you Lily?"
"Course I do."
She let her go and faced Peter.
"Can I ask you a personal question?"
"Sure can. What is it?"
"Are you sick?"
He shook his head, and then knocked on wood.
"Fortunately no. I just did this to show people that anyone can get AIDS. The media makes it out so it seems like only gays can get it, but that's not true."
"Well, I think it's amazing. You've really captured the grief. That's exactly how I looked when I got the call about Angel."
"My sympathies, Lily, honey. How's your family taking it?"
"They don't know. And I doubt they'd care."
Before she knew it, she was sitting pouring the whole story out, Peter and Juliet sitting on either side of her. When she finished Juliet put her arms around her.
"What will happen to us, Lily? Your family really will hate me."
Lily kissed her.
"You're dating me, not my family. I love you. That's all that matters. Who cares what they think?"
Juliet beamed. Lily put her face in her hands.
"I'm so worried about Angel."
"Well, Lily, no matter what the outcome everything will turn out the way He wants it to," Peter told her.
She nodded.
"Thank you both so much."
Lets see...what can I give my reviewers? Hmmm...ooh! I know! Fab Five members! (If y'all don't watch Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that's just sad.) Also, I want to write a Bennyfic. I need ideas! Email me or IM me. GypsyRENThead. Thanks!
