Gaw, I'm so horrible at remembering to do A/Ns! Okay, I forgot to say that Amy was a character created by me. And in this chapter is a new verison of "Take Me or Leave Me," original words by Jonathan Larson.
"Joanne?" Maureen called out in the dark.
"Yes?" Joanne responded.
They were in bed, but neither of them could seem to sleep.
"Today was nice," Maureen said after a pause.
"Yeah. It was good to see everyone again."
"Yeah."
There was another pause.
"Um…" Maureen said after a few minutes, "Joanne, I've been thinking."
"About what?"
"Well…it know this may sound ridiculous…but…I want a baby."
Joanne sat up.
"What!" She asked in disbelief.
"I want a kid. With you," Maureen said, and sat up. She put her arm around Joanne, but Joanne didn't seem to notice.
"You're serious."
"Yep. I think this is the next step in our relationship."
"It'll never work!" Joanne said. This made Maureen angry.
"Why, Joanne? Because it's different from your usual schedule? Because it's new and interesting and not boring and the regular? Why don't you ever want to try new things!"
"Because having a baby is not 'trying something new,' Maureen. This is a serious commitment!" Joanne said.
"Don't you trust me? We can make this work! I know we can!" Maureen shot back.
"Maureen…it's not that…it's just…"
-Take Me Or Leave Me Reprise-
JOANNE: It won't work. I look before I leap
I love margins and discipline; I make lists in my sleep.
Never quit – I follow through
I hate mess – but I love you.
You want a kid, your desire is pure.
If you really love me, wait for me to be sure.
How could this work? What would they think?
Would a child with parents like us float or sink?
Take for what I am, who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn, take me baby or leave me.
MAUREEN: Ugh! You're so annoying! You never bend the rules
You're always holding back; in the new you don't submerge.
Joanne, learn to trust me! We've survived thick and thin
And don't worry so much – we're already living in sin!
Take me for what I am, who I was meant to be.
And if you give a damn take me baby or leave me.
JOANNE: A kid's so much work!
MAUREEN: So what, you're afraid?
JOANNE: No, it's not that!...I don't want these times to fade!
MAUREEN: (Spoken)…what?
JOANNE: Okay, I admit it. I'm nervous and I'm scared.
Times are changing, and so far my life's been spared.
But what happens if we're soon not accepted?
MAUREEN: Believe me, this decision will not be regretted!
JOANNE: (Spoken) Well…
MAUREEN: What do you say! We can do it! We'll raise the best kid yet
For the world, with our teachings, this little kid can be set!
You've got to believe, and trust in the fates
And dispel all those worries, fears and hates.
We'll find a girl, one that we love and adore,
With our care she can grow, and her heart can soar.
And who knows, maybe with this little one
Our hearts will soar too, as high as the sun.
JOANNE: (Spoken) Okay…just remember…
Take me for what I am, who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn, take me baby or leave me.
MAUREEN: (Spoken) Always.
The girls hugged.
"So we're going to do it?" Maureen asked, excited.
"Yes. Let's do it!"
The next day they headed down to the Adoption Center nearest them. After filling out papers and everything, they headed in to meet the children that were up for adoption.
One that caught their eye was a little raven haired girl who looked about two or three. She was beautiful, with chocolate brown eyes and an innocent little face.
Her name was Angelina.
And a few hours later, there was another person heading home with Joanne and Maureen.
Collins was a mess.
He didn't know what to do with himself.
Angel was dead. And he felt like there was nothing that he could do to free himself from the pain.
After Christmas, he had gone back to the small apartment he had rented for staying in New York. And he had stayed there. What was the point of going on now? There was nothing to live for.
But Collins knew he could end it.
He had been contemplating this for a long time, but felt that he had finally hit a low point in his life.
Collins slowly walked to the drawer where he had put the small gun. He pulled it out, and stared at it.
It could all be finished here…just one small movement.
His friends would forgive him. They would understand, he had told himself.
He closed his eyes, and pulled the trigger.