Collins knelt down in the snow in front of a small but significant grave marker. Below it was what was left of his former boyfriend, Angel.
The headstone's message was simple, but meant a lot to Angel, as well as his friends:
Will I lose my dignity? No.
Will someone care? Yes.
Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?
I already have.
Collins grinned and silently placed a rose in the snow in front of the gravestone, it's vibrant colors standing out against the colorless snow and stone.
He stood, wiped away tears, and headed to meet the rest of his friends.
Mark was just talking about his new documentary to Joanne and Mimi and Maureen were trying to get Roger to braid his hair when Collins entered the diner. Everyone stopped what they were doing to welcome him back.
"So, what's the new job?" Mark asked, after Collins had settled in and everyone had ordered (french fries, burgers, and plenty of beer).
"I'm training to become a doctor. Slowly but surely."
"Congrats, man!" Roger said, giving Collins a hard slap on the back, causing him to jolt in his chair, "What kind of doc?"
"Oh, just a normal kind…but I'm also training to handle AIDS patients," Collins said, a small smile flickering across his face. The others fell into an awkward silence, but fortunately, Maureen came to the rescue.
"That's great, Collins! I'm really proud of you!" Maureen said excitedly, then took her drink and chugged it. While she was doing this, Mimi commented.
"Angel would be proud of you," the girl said softly but strongly, over Maureen's loud drinking. Maureen suddenly slammed the glass down on the table.
"Woo!" she screamed, "Why are we all depressed guys? It's Christmas Eve! We should party!"
-I'll Come Along-
MAUREEN: This is the time, this is the place,
Don't be afraid to show your face!
We're here together and that's the best thing of all;
Remember, stay strong, and our friendship won't fall!
New things ahead, for us to see.
But just keep shining like a Christmas tree!
Something that's up, or something that's down;
Whatever comes for us, we can take it, just don't frown!
(Climbs onto table)
Whenever you're down, just sing this song,
And I'll be there, I'll come along.
Maybe you won't see it, but before long,
You'll come to realize that I wasn't wrong.
When the world's gone dark, and the light is out,
Times can be confusing, what's it all about!
One thing you can be sure of, and I think we all agree
Is that there's friends in each of us, even you and me.
Whenever you're down, just sing this song,
And I'll be there, I'll come along.
Maybe you won't see it, but before long,
You'll come to realize that I wasn't wrong.
Yes you will, oh yeah…You will come to see in time
That there isn't a reason, and there isn't a rhyme.
RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS: Whenever you're down, just sing this song,
And I'll be there, I'll come along.
Maybe you won't see it, but before long,
You'll come to realize that I wasn't wrong.
MAUREEN: At Same Time Right or wrong, that's always the song,
In times of need, for you I long,
Keep on singin', and baby, keep it strong.
You come to realize that I'm there all along!
CAST: You'll come to realize…I'm there all along.
Collins had bunked with Mark, Roger and Mimi that night. He groggily walked into the main room of the house, and found that they were already up, eating breakfast. Mark was reading the paper, and Mimi and Roger were playing footsie under the table.
"Hey guys. Merry Christmas," Collins said.
"And a Happy New Year to you!" Roger said brightly. He and Mimi had both had a little too much alcohol the previous night.
Collins grabbed the OJ that was in the small refrigerator.
"Last night was fun. Good to catch up with everyone."
"Yup," Mark said, not looking up from the paper.
"We should have everyone over today. Since it's Christmas, you know."
"That'd be nice." Mark looked up from his paper. "Actually…" he said, a bit hesitantly.
"What?"
"Maybe…we could go visit Angel's grave today."
"Sure," Collins replied after a pause.
"We don't have to if you don't-" Mark started, but Collins interrupted him.
"No, I think that'd be great. I'm sure Angel's having a blast up there," he said, glancing at the ceiling, "Dressed up in some crazy getup, probably organizing a 'Secret Santa.'"
Mark chuckled.
"I'll get the group together."